Representative Brandon Gill (R-TX) introduced new legislation Tuesday that would halt immigration from Somalia for 25 years. Gill’s reasoning is that large-scale migration from the country has failed to integrate successfully into American society and has contributed to widespread misuse of federal assistance programs.
In a written statement to Breitbart News, Gill said the proposal—titled the Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act—is aimed at protecting U.S. interests and taxpayers. “Mass Somali immigration makes the United States weaker, poorer and erodes social trust,” Gill said.
Since the passage of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, more than 70 million immigrants have entered the United States. Gill and supporters of the bill argue that the Somali community has drawn increased scrutiny due to repeated fraud investigations involving federal benefit programs, particularly in Minnesota, where roughly $9 billion in fraud tied to members of the Somali community has been reported.
Beyond fraud allegations, Somali immigrants reportedly receive federal assistance at high rates. According to the data cited, 81 percent of Somali immigrant households receive welfare benefits, 73 percent are enrolled in Medicaid, and 54 percent participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Gill says pausing immigration from Somalia would allow policymakers to recalibrate immigration policy to better reflect national security, fiscal responsibility, and the broader national interest.
He added that the purpose of the nation’s immigration system should be centered on Americans rather than accommodating migration from unstable nations. “The sole aim of our immigration system is to benefit American citizens, not facilitate mass migration from corrupt, failed societies. The recent fraud scandal in Minnesota highlights the acute dangers of unchecked immigration. A Somalia immigration moratorium puts the American people first, restores our national sovereignty, protects taxpayers and supports public safety.”
The legislation would amend Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to suspend immigration relief for certain Somali nationals for a quarter century. However, it would preserve existing legal statuses and honor U.S. treaty commitments. Individuals already in the country before enactment, lawful permanent residents, and those holding diplomatic or international organization visas would be exempt.
“Temporary means temporary. Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.
“Further, allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. We are putting Americans first,” she added.