The impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have taken a significant turn.
Representative Mark Green, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has accused Mayorkas of releasing over 5 million illegal immigrants into the United States since 2021.
Green's assertions come as the committee began impeachment hearings against Secretary Mayorkas on Wednesday. Green alleges that under Mayorkas's supervision, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has seen a substantial increase in the release of inadmissible aliens into the US. This number, he claims, includes over 3 million inadmissible aliens and an additional 1.8 million "getaways" who evaded border authorities.
These figures are contrasted with the country's annual birth rate, which falls below 4 million. Green's allegations suggest a significant shift in DHS's approach to handling illegal immigration under Mayorkas's leadership compared to previous administrations.
Green points out that, under the Obama administration in 2013, a starkly different approach was evident. Then, 82% of illegal immigrants were detained until their case was decided, a far cry from the current statistics under Mayorkas.
Representative Green highlights a dramatic policy change. "In Secretary Mayorkas’ first year on the job, that 82 percent number dropped to just ten percent. Illegal aliens not detained at all jumped from nine percent in FY 2013 to 64 percent in FY 2021," he said. This statement illuminates the stark contrast in the handling of illegal immigration over the years.
Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly defended his department's actions. He asserts that the DHS continues to enforce the nation’s laws, challenging the accusations of negligence. However, his recent call for billions in funding from Congress to transport more illegal immigrants has added fuel to the ongoing debate.
On Monday, January 9, 2023, Mayorkas visited the border before the impeachment hearings. His visit was seen as an attempt to address growing concerns over his department's handling of immigration and border security.
The ongoing controversy has also drawn attention from the judiciary. Judge Kent Wetherell commented on the change in DHS policy, noting a significant shift in detention policy from 2021 under Mayorkas's leadership.
The implications of these policy changes are substantial. According to Green, the numbers indicate a worrying trend in the management of border security and immigration under the current DHS leadership.
"Multiple sources confirmed Secretary Mayorkas admitted that release rates of illegal aliens are currently around 85 percent," Green said. This figure marks a significant increase from previous years and raises questions about the department's strategy and objectives.
The allegations and the ensuing impeachment hearings represent a pivotal moment in US immigration policy. They highlight deep divisions over the approach to managing illegal immigration and border security.
As the hearings continue, they challenge Secretary Mayorkas's tenure and reflect broader questions about the direction of US immigration policy. The outcomes of these proceedings could have lasting implications on the approach towards managing immigration and border security in the United States.
The impeachment hearings against Alejandro Mayorkas have unveiled significant concerns regarding the management of illegal immigration in the US. Green's allegations suggest a substantial increase in the release of illegal immigrants under Mayorkas’s leadership compared to previous administrations, raising questions about the current and future direction of US immigration policy.
