Nathalie Asher, acting head of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, had to explain what the term “illegal” means to Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) at a congressional hearing earlier this week.

“I’d like you to clarify for me … who constitutes the illegally present population in our country,” Hirono asked.

Asher’s response will leave people shaking their heads that something so basic needs to be explained to a United States senator.

“I’m not quite sure I follow the question, ma’am,” a befuddled Asher stated. “Individuals who are here unlawfully … are considered in an illegal status as it relates to immigration law.”

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So people here unlawfully are … illegal?

What a concept!

Asher, during her opening statements, added that ICE needs funding to deal safely with these unlawful or illegal people.

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“Our nation continues to experience an unprecedented illegal immigration crisis on our southern border,” she advised.

“Without the necessary funding and legislative changes, the integrity of our immigration system will continue to be undermined.”

Not to mention that the “funding and legislation” is being governed by people who don’t know what “illegal” means.

Asher went on to explain that illegals who bring children with them are skipping out on court appearances after their release, a legal requirement within 20 days of detention. That’s why they bring the kids with them, whether they are an actual family or not.

Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost emphasized, “They have received the message loud and clear: Bring a child, you will be released.”

One could forgive Mazie for not knowing what illegal means, since every member of her party and the mainstream media have stopped using the term when it comes to immigration. Perhaps she simply forgot.

Remarkably, however, this isn’t the first time Hirono had been confused about easily understandable concepts when it comes to illegal immigration.

Last year she had to be corrected by another ICE official when she claimed that immigration law was something President Donald Trump simply decreed.

Illegal immigrants “have broken a law only as deemed so by [President Trump],” Hirono claimed.

“No, ma’am,” responded Matthew Albence, recently tapped by the president to head ICE.

He then explained that it is the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, codified under Title 8 of the U.S. Code, that deems them as illegal.

Hirono responded with an all-time understatement: “I’m confused.”

This piece originally appeared in The Political Insider and is used by permission.

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