The Biden administration faces scrutiny as paroled immigrants with criminal backgrounds receive over $1.3 million in federal aid, sparking controversy about policy implications.
Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of paroled immigrants with criminal records reportedly received taxpayer-funded benefits.
- Over $1.3 million in federal aid was disbursed to individuals with criminal or terrorist backgrounds.
- Medicaid benefits and tax refunds were among the allocations to these individuals.
- Critics question the legality and vetting process of the Biden administration’s parole programs.
- The White House has taken steps to end such programs and revoke parole statuses.
Controversial Federal Assistance to Paroled Immigrants
The Biden administration is under fire for allocating considerable federal aid to immigrants with criminal backgrounds and paroled under specialized programs.
“Under the Biden administration, it was routine for [U.S.] Border Patrol to admit aliens into the United States with no legal status and minimal screening,” the Department of Government Efficiency said in an X post.
Accusations surfaced that some paroled individuals accessed a variety of taxpayer-funded benefits, such as Medicaid, student loans, and tax refunds, totaling over $1.3 million. These reports have intensified criticism from various sectors, questioning the administration’s approach to immigration and public fund management.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, claimed 6,300 paroled individuals either had criminal records or appeared on the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center watchlist. Allegations of unregulated use of federal funds for these individuals have stirred substantial backlash, raising questions about the adequacy of immigration policies and oversight on welfare distribution.
Under the Biden administration, it was routine for Border Patrol to admit aliens into the United States with no legal status and minimal screening. So far, CBP identified a subset of 6.3k individuals paroled into the United States since 2023 on the FBI's Terrorist Screening… https://t.co/nSLwwaUmtb
— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) April 10, 2025
Medicaid Benefits and Additional Concerns
Reports indicate that 905 paroled immigrants with pertinent histories received about $276,000 in Medicaid benefits alone, alongside various unemployment and student aid allocations. The Biden administration allowed these paroles through legally under humanitarian protections, but critics argue what might comprise procedural shortcomings enabling access to financial aid for these individuals.
Some experts, like Michael Ryan, have shed skepticism on the claims, emphasizing how the disbursement seems implausibly low per person to align with conventional medical expenses. This assistance has since led to comprehensive scrutiny and calls for more transparency and regulation changes.
Policy Revisions Post-Backlash
Responding to public outcry, the White House swiftly acted to halt such programs and rescind parole statuses for implicated immigrants. The evolving situation reveals complexities within policies supposed to offer humanitarian relief without endangering national security or contravening legal safeguards and public trust.
The situation underscores ongoing debates over immigration practices, national security, and the integrity of taxpayer resources. As investigations unfold, both experts and critical stakeholders will closely monitor developments, calling for diligent policy revisions that balance humanitarian needs with robust screening and resource distribution processes, focusing on national security first.
