House Republicans are preparing to examine how technology can accelerate the deportation of illegal immigrants.
We can count on Rep. Nancy Mace to come up with radical ideas to protect the American people.
At a Glance
- The House GOP will hold a hearing titled “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen Immigration Enforcement” on March 4, 2024
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) will lead the hearing as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation
- Former ICE officials and a Heritage Foundation researcher will testify about technological solutions for immigration enforcement
- The hearing will examine how to better utilize technology to address what Republicans call “the worst border crisis in history”
- Republicans have criticized the Biden administration for using technology to facilitate illegal immigration rather than enforce laws
Republicans Seek Technological Solutions to Border Crisis
The House GOP is set to hold a hearing on March 4 to explore technological options for expediting deportations of illegal immigrants. The hearing, titled “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen Immigration Enforcement,” will be led by the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation under Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). The session aims to assess current technological capabilities in immigration enforcement and identify opportunities to enhance these tools for more effective implementation of immigration laws.
The hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. ET in the Rayburn House Office Building. According to the committee, the goal is to examine barriers to technology integration and opportunities to streamline procurement processes. Republicans have made immigration enforcement a central issue, particularly as border crossing numbers have reached record highs under the Biden administration. The hearing represents part of their broader effort to address what they characterize as a deliberate weakening of border security.
Three expert witnesses with extensive backgrounds in immigration enforcement and policy have been called to testify. John Fabbricatore, a former Senior Executive at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will share insights from his leadership experience within the agency. Doug Gilmer, who served as a retired Senior Law Enforcement Advisor and Special Agent at ICE, will provide perspective from his time in the field. Simon Hankinson, currently a Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, will round out the panel.
“While the Biden administration intentionally created the worst border crisis in our nation’s history and allowed criminal aliens to pour into our communities, this body is committed to identifying innovative avenues to deploy cutting-edge technology to help federal immigration agents get criminal aliens off the streets so they can be deported,” Subcommittee Chairwoman Mace said.
These witnesses are expected to discuss how technology could streamline the deportation process and address challenges faced by immigration enforcement agencies. The hearing is open to the public and will be livestreamed online, reflecting the committee’s commitment to transparency in addressing this contentious issue. The proceedings will likely highlight different technological approaches that could enhance border security and immigration law enforcement.
The hearing comes amid ongoing criticism that the former Biden administration misused technology in ways that facilitate illegal immigration rather than enforce laws. One example Republicans frequently cite is the CBP One App, which critics argue enabled unauthorized migrants to enter the United States through a scheduling system for asylum appointments. Under President Trump’s leadership, this practice was reportedly halted as part of a broader shift toward stricter enforcement measures.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has implemented various technological solutions, including artificial intelligence systems for citizenship processes and monitoring migrants. The agency has also launched a registration website aimed at encouraging self-deportation. This contrasts with the Trump administration’s approach, which focused on reducing illegal border crossings but faced various challenges with deportation processes, including court backlogs and resistance from destination countries.
This time around, Trump has so much at his disposal to make deportations happen.
