
In a shocking move just days before leaving office, the Biden administration has quietly granted amnesty to 850,000 illegal immigrants. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas approved this sweeping measure in what critics are calling a calculated and deceptive effort to undermine incoming President Donald Trump’s strict immigration agenda.
Mayorkas extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for another 18 months, protecting 234,000 Salvadorans and 600,000 Venezuelans from deportation. The administration blamed “severe weather” in El Salvador and political instability in Venezuela for the decision. Work permits for these migrants will now extend through March 2026.
Is this even legal? How can a cabinet Secretary have this kind of power? –>> Mayorkas Grants Amnesty to 850,000 Illegals, Blames 'Bad Weather' as Reason https://t.co/pT47hcn3mo
— ChickenStillKickin (@Kicking_chicken) January 12, 2025
Mayorkas grants amnesty to 850,000 illegals. This maniac blamed Bad Weather as the reason for not sending the illegals back to their own countries. Since Biden is leaving in a few days, why is Mayorkas doing it now! This is treason, he has put all our lives in danger already. 😡
— Domenica D'Elia (@domenicadelia22) January 12, 2025
Mayorkas claimed that “geological and weather events, including significant storms and heavy rainfall in 2023 and 2024,” justified the TPS extension. Critics argue this is a flimsy excuse, noting that El Salvador has experienced a strong economic recovery under President Nayib Bukele, who has cracked down on crime and gang violence.
Revoke the amnesty and arrest Mayorkas.
— Moosefeathers57 (@moosefeath79559) January 12, 2025
Conservatives have condemned this amnesty as a strategic move to block President-elect Trump’s planned immigration crackdown. Trump’s policies aimed at enforcing border security and deporting illegal immigrants will now face legal and administrative roadblocks due to Mayorkas’ last-minute decision.
MORE importantly I believe Mayorkas is BREAKING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS.
Its time for Congress and @realDonaldTrump to say that on Day 1 ALL THESE AMNESTY'S PARDONS ETC WILL BE DECLARE NULL AND VOID@SpeakerJohnson @LeaderJohnThune must HAVE READY A LAW that Trump can sign. pic.twitter.com/d0PMv5GiHx
— apppro😎 (@apppro1) January 12, 2025
The extension of TPS for Venezuelans has also drawn criticism. Opponents argue that allowing Venezuelan migrants to stay in the U.S. benefits Nicolás Maduro’s oppressive regime by keeping political opposition off the streets and allowing remittances to flow back into Venezuela, indirectly propping up the dictatorship.
Under Mayorkas’ leadership, the TPS program has tripled in size, now covering nearly one million migrants. This surge has overwhelmed American communities, leading to increased strain on housing, healthcare and job markets. While business groups cheer the influx of cheap labor, everyday Americans are left to deal with rising costs and job competition.
President-elect Trump now faces the challenge of reversing this sweeping amnesty and restoring border security, a task that has been made more difficult by the outgoing administration’s last-minute maneuvering.