Big Sky Times

Tim Sheehy, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, stated that his opponent Senator Jon Tester and President Biden's "open border policies" encourage illegal immigration. Sheehy made the statement in a June 8 post on X.

"The open border policies of @JoeBiden and @JonTester incentivize illegal immigration and put illegals before Americans. It's time to stop this lunacy and put America First," said Sheehy, Republican Senate Candidate Montanta.

According to Fox News analysis, approximately 7.3 million illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border and were released into the U.S. interior under President Biden's administration. These immigrants, while awaiting their court dates, can access resources at the state or federal level. As they cannot legally work for six months post-asylum claim, they rely on federally-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for medical care, shelter, and transportation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides NGOs with funding to support communities in housing and caring for these migrants. States like New York and California offer special benefits such as healthcare coverage, while Chicago offers financial legal coverage.

X post by Tim Sheehy | X

"Illegal aliens coming to America want five things: to enter the U.S.; stay here; work; send money home; and bring or have family here," Lora Ries, director of the Heritage Foundation's Border Security and Immigration Center, told Fox News Digital. "All these benefits help illegal aliens stay in the U.S., so, yes, the benefits are a pull factor," Ries said. "Given the millions coming to the U.S. under the Biden administration, American taxpayers will see significant tax increases to pay for all these services given to people who aren’t supposed to be here."

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Border Patrol has arrested 10,337 individuals with existing criminal convictions illegally crossing to date in FY24.

Sheehy is a veteran and the Republican Senate candidate for Montana, according to his campaign website.