Republicans launch probe into TSA over concerns it checks migrants' identities less strictly than those of U.S. citizens: Lawmakers claim CBP One App used to process migrants let 96 percent of applicants into the U.S. last year

Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee are investigating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for applying weaker identification standards to migrants than U.S. citizens. 

The committee's investigation comes as reports have indicated that migrants can use the CBP One app as a method of identification before boarding flights to or within the U.S. 

American citizens, meanwhile, usually must produce a standard form of ID like a passport, driver's license or permanent resident card. 

Now, House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., and other members, are requesting TSA boss David Pekoske turn over documents and communications related to the agency's migrant identification standards, according to a letter exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com.

'The Committee is concerned that TSA’s screening procedures apply a weaker identity verification standard for alien migrants than for American citizens, creating an aviation security risk,' Green wrote. 

A migrant uses the CBP One app to apply for an appointment to claim asylum in the U.S. 

Migrants from Central and South America wait in Mexico awaiting admittance into the U.S. 

Migrants attempt to cross into El Paso, Texas, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in early March

TSA 'is reportedly allowing aliens without verifying identity documents to pass through airport security checkpoints, relying on unverified biographical information gathered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the CBP One application.'

'The biographical information gathered about aliens arriving at a port of entry may be insufficient to screen and vet individuals for potential security concerns,' the letter said. 

According to CBP, over 45,000 migrants used the CBP One app in January to enter the U.S. 

Roughly 96 percent of migrants who scheduled an appointment through CBP One from January 12, 2023 to September 30, 2023 were released, the letter stated, comprising a total of 267,000 individuals released into the U.S. 

A previous DailyMail.com report revealed how the CBP One app has been central to a Biden administration program that has flown over 320,000 migrants from foreign countries to the U.S. 

The program was part of Biden's expansion of the CBP One app, which kicked off at the start of 2023.

Migrants were able, under Biden's expansion, to apply for asylum using the app from their home countries.

However, the transportation of these migrants directly to the U.S. is one of the lesser known uses of the app.

Migrants, seeking asylum in the United States and who previously requested an appointment on the CBP One application, attend their appointment

A migrant from Venezuela seeking asylum in the U.S. uses his phone to make an appointment

'There is no logical reason American citizens and other legitimate travelers should go through more thorough screening than inadmissible aliens,' Green said during a Thursday committee hearing on CBP One.

'Yet the flying public has witnessed this in airports across the country thanks to Secretary Mayorkas’ unlawful use of the CBP One app to implement mass catch-and-release.'

'As threats from our adversaries grow more complex, this is not the time to make it easier for them to take advantage of us,' Green continued. 'This troubling TSA policy is just one more example of the Biden administration's utter refusal to take the homeland security mission seriously.'

During the hearing, members examined the purpose of CBP One and how its is used by migrants.

Inadmissible aliens from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua, who participate in DHS parole programs, can use the CBP One app to request permission to fly into the U.S., Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., said Thursday. 

'CBP One was created to reduce wait times for perishable commercial goods passing through these ports of entry for legal trade. But the Mayorkas DHS has repurposed the CBP One app.'

'Most of these aliens are paroled and released into the United States. And in most cases we really don't know who they are.'

'This is an abuse of parole by design.'