During a recent hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas faced criticism and accusations of dishonesty from House Republicans. Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan alleged that Mayorkas lacks knowledge about the true number of individuals crossing the southern border and accused him of providing misleading information to Congress.
Mayorkas Grilled During Contentious House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Border Crisis
In a heated exchange, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., referred to Mayorkas as the “most dishonest witness” to appear before the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Johnson expressed frustration on behalf of his constituents, who are seeking answers regarding the administration’s efforts to address the ongoing border crisis.
Criticism Mounts as Mayorkas Continues to Face Scrutiny for Handling of Border Crisis
Mayorkas has become a primary target for Republicans who blame him for the current border crisis, attributing it to what they perceive as lenient immigration policies. Fiscal years 2021 and 2022 saw over 1.7 million and 2.4 million migrant encounters, respectively, contributing to the growing criticism of Mayorkas’ approach.
Former Border Official Raises Accusations and Concerns Regarding Mayorkas’ Actions
Homan accused Mayorkas of violating his oath of office by implementing an unlawful program that directs illegal entrants through ports of entry, even if they do not qualify for asylum. Homan described the situation as a “shell game” and predicted that Mayorkas would lose the legal battle once the lawsuit filed by 20 states reaches a resolution.
Inaccurate Data and Damaged Morale Plague Mayorkas’ Leadership, Says Border Patrol Council VP
Art Del Cueto, Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council, asserted that Mayorkas and senior administration officials lack accurate data regarding border crossings. Del Cueto criticized the Biden administration for undermining the morale of Border Patrol agents, claiming that senior officials only started providing truthful accounts of the situation after announcing their retirement.
Mayorkas Defends Approach and Outlines Post-Title 42 Strategy
Despite the mounting criticism, Mayorkas and the DHS maintain that their approach is necessary within a broken system that requires congressional reform. They argue that the end of the Title 42 public health order has resulted in a significant decrease in unlawful entries between ports of entry. The agency’s post-Title 42 strategy includes the expanded use of humanitarian parole and limitations on illegal asylum claims to effectively manage the borders in a secure and humane manner.