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During Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, virtually every Republican in Congress backed him as he promoted the idea of mass deportations — specifically, his goal of pursuing the largest such operation in U.S. history.
But having seen what this agenda looks like in practice, some of these conservatives have seen fit to try to intervene. The administration’s haphazard — and, at times, blatantly unlawful — anti-immigration crusade has some GOP lawmakers essentially doubling as case workers for immigrants of their choosing, according to a new report from NOTUS.
The outlet documented various efforts by Republicans on Capitol Hill to get the administration to grant leniency on a case-by-case basis. Per the report:
Trump administration officials insist there will be “no amnesty” while carrying out mass deportations, but some Republicans told NOTUS that behind the scenes, they’re advocating for some immigrants to stay.
It’s another sign President Donald Trump’s allies in Congress are grappling with the administration’s ambitious arrest quotas, and they’re realizing its targets for deportation aren’t limited to violent criminals and gang members.
Republican lawmakers pointed to stories of longtime residents and workers getting arrested as reasons for members of Congress to intervene. Others said they often help people with visas, or that they’re advocating for immigrants who hope to obtain permanent legal status. But most said they support the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, even if they’re stepping in on behalf of some people who face removal.
NOTUS named Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Rep. Chip Roy of Texas as two Republicans who — despite backing Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda — have sought leniency in specific cases. Scalise reached out to the administration about an Iranian woman named Mandonna Kashanian, who subsequently was released from ICE detention. However, she was still being targeted for deportation despite Scalise’s argument that she should be judged on her “life’s work” and contributions to the community.
Roy told NOTUS he’s “going to bat” for one particular immigrant, saying he’s “a good guy.” Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., told the outlet that he’d been asking the administration for help with amnesty for certain immigrants, as well.
It should go without saying that this piecemeal approach — essentially, a shadow immigration system in which some immigrants’ legal status could feasibly hinge on the occasional generosity of their representatives in Congress — isn’t the way immigration enforcement should be conducted in a just or ethical world.
The aforementioned GOP lawmakers have heaped praise on the immigrants they’re trying to help, but similar things have been said about numerous immigrants swept up in Trump’s crackdown — a large number of whom have no criminal records whatsoever and seem equally worthy of remaining in the country.
Republican leaders have frequently scoffed at the notion that the Trump administration is rounding up and deporting law-abiding people who mean well for the country. But the fact that some of the president’s close congressional allies are begging for mercy only lends credence to that contention.