WASHINGTON–Representative Mario Diaz-Balart spoke to The Floridian concerning the latest news surrounding the Trump administration's attempt to prioritize the deportation of illegal aliens who have committed additional crimes. However, the Florida congressman is worried some individuals are being deported despite having legitimate asylum claims from dysfunctional countries. He also shared he has been in contact with the Trump administration on this issue.
First, he commended President Trump's efforts at the border.
"Two things: I'm in conversation with the administration, and this is an administration who is actively trying to reverse the damage of the previous administration, and they're very busy doing that because there's been a lot of damage," said Rep. Diaz-Balart. "I got a briefing two days ago where we were given the numbers, and it's something like a 98% reduction of illegal crossings on the southern border. You know, that's what the administration is doing, trying to try to reverse the damage of the Biden administration."
Furthermore, Diaz-Balart shared that some folks who have been or may be deported do have permissible claims to asylum, but not necessarily the legal avenue to get these claims heard efficiently.
"Now, I'm in contact with the administration because, clearly, if you are from a country like Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, North Korea, logic will tell you you probably have a higher chance of having a legitimate asylum claim than from other countries. So I'm talking to the administration to see if there can be a process to make sure that those folks have a way to have their case adjudicated quickly, which was not happening during the Biden administration," said Diaz-Balart.
The Florida congressman continued, mentioning that the problem surrounding this process was made worse by the Biden administration.
"There was no screening, there was no vetting during the Biden administration. It was worse than opening up the southern border," Diaz-Balart said. "They gave control to the narco cartel at the southern border. We decided what came in, who came in, and at what price with the narco cartels. That's all being reversed."
Finally, Diaz-Balart seemed optimistic that a system to properly vet and confirm those with legitimate asylum claims could be in the cards.
"I do think we need to have a process. However, folks who may have potentially credible cases of asylum have a more efficient process, so those are the conversations I'm having, and we'll see whether or not," said the Florida congressman.
Mario Diaz-Balart represents Florida's 26th Congressional District.
