Lack of Proper Security and Health Checks Pose Potential Threats to Local Communities

Albuquerque, September 5—The Republican Party of New Mexico is calling for full transparency when it comes to the influx of Afghan refugees coming into our country.

The refugees are coming onto U.S. bases without proper security vetting of any kind. Their immigration statuses are uncertain.

Right now there is no plan in place to control what happens to Afghans, including thousands to be housed at Holloman AFB near Alamogordo, New Mexico. Holloman is among seven military bases around the nation providing temporary housing and support for Afghan evacuees.

"The problem now is that the same chaos that's happening at our southern border is happening with these refugees," said RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce. "We don't know their backgrounds, health status or where they came from. Many could provide a serious security threat, and some are leaving the bases, even taking Ubers into our communities. There's no plan, no systematic or practical immigration process here. These Afghans must be vetted. Many will be dispersed into our communities without complete vetting."

Pearce says there must be transparency when it comes to carefully identifying these people coming into the country. He says we need to vet these people to ensure they don't pose any kind of threat to our communities.

"The Biden Administration is allowing anyone into the country without checking out their status or background."

At the airport, no papers are being checked, and there are no background checks, no Afghan interpreters. There is no formal immigration process and no orderly procedure where we are escorting Afghans, who cooperated with us, to the airplane.

The Afghans are coming into states with an immigration status and background that are unclear. They are arriving under a program known as humanitarian parole that gives them temporary permission to enter the country.

The refugees need to get a visa to be allowed to stay permanently or to seek asylum.
The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairman, former NM Congressman Steve Pearce, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662.