Nashville Standard

United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) led his colleagues in introducing the Reshape Alternatives to Detention (ATD) Act, a piece of legislation aimed at curtailing what they perceive as the Biden Administration's misuse of ATD. The proposed law would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize all available detention beds before resorting to ATD and ensure that illegal immigrants on the non-detained docket are enrolled in ATD and GPS monitoring for the duration of their immigration proceedings.

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Rick Scott (R-FL), and JD Vance (R-OH). Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL-19) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The senators accuse President Joe Biden and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of turning ATD into a social services program, citing their use of initiatives like the Case Management Pilot Program (CMPP) and Young Adult Case Management Program (YACMP).

They argue that the current administration is allowing illegal immigrants to roam freely after a brief period of monitoring following their entry into the U.S. They cite the case of Mohammad Kharwin, an Afghan national on the terrorist watch list who was monitored for just over two weeks before being removed from ATD and spending 10 months in the U.S. without any supervision.

As of January 27, 2024, only 189,780 individuals were enrolled in the ATD Program with even fewer, 36,931 individuals, occupying ICE detention beds. Meanwhile, under the Biden Administration, nearly seven million people are on the non-detained docket.

Senator Hagerty criticized the Biden Administration for creating an "unprecedented national security and humanitarian crisis" through its handling of illegal immigration. He expressed his satisfaction in introducing legislation that would require the administration to combat high levels of illegal immigration and secure the southern border.

Senator Blackburn accused President Biden of refusing to enforce the law by releasing millions of illegal immigrants into the country. She argued that the ATD Program was not designed to allow such individuals to roam freely across the country, and she believes that the Reshape ATD Act would end what she sees as abuse of this program.

Senator Cruz claimed that instead of prioritizing American safety and security, the Biden administration has been releasing illegal aliens into Texas and other parts of the U.S. He stated that it is shameful that detention beds have been left empty for years while efforts are made to quickly get American tax dollars into the hands of illegal aliens.

The senators urge swift passage of their proposed legislation, arguing it will address perceived abuses and corruption within current immigration policies.