Lankford used by Democrats on Immigration

In a recent profile by the New York Times, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is portrayed as a pivotal figure in reshaping the narrative around Vice President Kamala Harris's immigration stance. The article suggests that Lankford's collaboration with the Times aims to recast Harris from an open borders advocate to a stringent border enforcer. Critics argue that Lankford has unwittingly become a tool for the Democrats, as the Times claims he secured significant concessions from Democrats, a statement that many believe misrepresents the reality of the Lankford-Mayorkas immigration bill. The Lankford-Mayorkas bill, intended to address the complexities of migrant detention, introduces a new legal framework termed “noncustodial removal proceeding.” This provision allows migrants who express an intention to seek asylum to be placed in an alternative to detention program overseen by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), rather than being detained or returned immediately. However, critics contend that this approach mirrors existing Biden administration policies, which have been criticized for their leniency towards migrants who illegally cross the border. The bill does not alter the current enforcement strategy, which has been characterized by a lack of action against migrants whose only offense is illegal entry. For instance, a recent case involving a migrant named Ibarra illustrates the ongoing issues within the system, as he was paroled into the country and subsequently arrested for other offenses without facing deportation. Ultimately, the Lankford-Mayorkas bill appears to reinforce existing policies rather than implement substantial changes, raising questions about its effectiveness and the motivations behind its promotion.