
Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), are introducing a bill aimed at cutting off federal funds to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profits that assist illegal immigrants entering the U.S. The proposed legislation, titled the Blocking Assistance and Resources to Restrict Illegal Entry and Residency (BARRIER) Act, seeks to halt what Gaetz described as the “foot soldiers” of the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies.
According to Gaetz, these organizations have been helping illegal immigrants cross the border and remain in the U.S., sometimes for years. “My legislation will strip these organizations of their federal funding,” Gaetz said in a statement. He also noted that the bill would penalize groups aiding those who are already in the country illegally, emphasizing that “the federal government should not be financing the destruction of its own country.”
Illegal immigration has remained a key issue for many voters, especially as the 2024 election approaches. Co-sponsors of the BARRIER Act include prominent Republicans such as Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Troy Nehls (R-TX). The bill could ignite broader discussions about the role of these organizations in current immigration policies and the federal funds they receive.
The legislation is introduced amid increasing concerns about the border crisis, and particularly as the Biden-Harris administration faces criticism for its handling of immigration. Recently, reports of violent criminal activity by illegal immigrants, including a brutal murder in Georgia, have dominated headlines. Additionally, alarming stories about gangs taking over properties in Denver and thousands of illegal immigrants being relocated across the U.S. have only intensified the debate.
As the nation approaches a critical election, immigration is once again at the forefront, and the BARRIER Act could play a central role in future conversations about border security and immigration policy.