Ivey leads Republican governors criticizing ‘misguided’ and ‘abused’ Biden immigration program

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, along with 24 other Republican governors, issued a letter on Tuesday criticizing a federal immigration initiative under the Biden-Harris administration.

The letter addressed to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expresses strong concerns regarding the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) Parole Program. 

“As governors representing millions of Americans,” the letter states, “we are troubled by the lack of coordination and information sharing from the Biden-Harris Administration regarding the ongoing CHNV asylum program, which directly impacts our states and local communities. We believe the program's merits are misguided and its administration has been mishandled.”

The governors assert that the administration has not adequately informed them about the timing and locations of migrant arrivals in their states. They requested details about the “location” and “status” of those coming under the parole program.

The letter highlights, “Due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy of placing hundreds of thousands of migrants in our states—potentially requiring state and local services—our states have been inadvertently placed in a support role without our consent, prior notice, or resources.”

They are asking the administration for complete information regarding the migrants being directed to their communities. Since the program began in January 2023, Republicans have expressed strong opposition and raised questions about its legality.