
In a quiet yet bold move, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has granted amnesty to 850,000 illegal immigrants in what critics are calling a deliberate and underhanded attempt by the Biden administration to sabotage incoming President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. This sweeping action, executed just days before Biden leaves office, is being slammed as a calculated effort to entrench open-border policies and undermine future enforcement.
The 18-month extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program shields 234,000 Salvadorans and 600,000 Venezuelans from deportation. Mayorkas justified the decision by citing recent bad weather in El Salvador and political instability in Venezuela—excuses critics argue are flimsy cover for a radical immigration agenda. Work permits for these migrants are now automatically extended 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
“El Salvador’s extension of TPS is based on geological and weather events, including significant storms and heavy rainfall in 2023 and 2024,” Mayorkas claimed. However, many point out that El Salvador’s situation has drastically improved under President Nayib Bukele, making this explanation seem more like political theater than legitimate reasoning.
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
Critics believe this move was intentionally timed to cripple President-elect Trump’s efforts to restore border security. Trump has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, but this sweeping amnesty creates significant legal and logistical barriers for his administration. It appears to be a deliberate parting shot from an administration determined to block any reversal of its lenient immigration policies.
Revoke the amnesty and arrest Mayorkas.
— Moosefeathers57 (@moosefeath79559) January 12, 2025
Adding to the controversy, the Venezuelan amnesty is viewed as a strategic gift to Nicolás Maduro’s brutal regime. By keeping opposition voices in the U.S., rather than in the streets protesting Maduro’s dictatorship, the move effectively stabilizes a government notorious for human rights abuses. The flood of U.S. dollars sent back as remittances only tightens Maduro’s grip on power.
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
Under Mayorkas, the TPS program has exploded, now covering nearly one million migrants. This massive influx strains American communities already grappling with housing shortages, rising crime and overwhelmed public services. While corporate lobbyists cheer the arrival of cheap labor, everyday Americans are left to bear the cost.
Trump now faces the daunting task of unraveling this carefully laid trap while fulfilling his promise to secure America’s borders and put citizens first.