Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has acknowledged that the majority of illegal immigrants encountered at the border are being released into the United States, sparking calls for his impeachment. In an interview on “Special Report,” Mayorkas confirmed reports that over 70% of migrants crossing the border are being released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. He emphasized that these individuals are released into immigration enforcement proceedings and placed on alternatives to detention. Mayorkas also highlighted that a record number of individuals have been returned or removed, asserting that the administration is enforcing the laws passed by Congress.
Mayorkas further revealed that more than a million migrants are released into the U.S. annually, underscoring the need for Congress to provide additional funding and immigration reform to address the “broken” system. He explained that the agency’s capacity for detention is limited by the funding allocated by Congress. However, if migrants’ claims for relief are successful, they are legally permitted to stay in the United States.
This interview comes as Mayorkas faces mounting pressure regarding the Biden administration’s handling of the crisis at the southern border. In December alone, there were over 302,000 migrant encounters, contributing to a record-breaking 2.4 million encounters throughout FY 2023. While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported an increase in the removal of illegal immigrants, Republicans attribute the crisis to the Biden administration’s policies, including the rollback of Trump-era measures, narrowed ICE enforcement, and expanded releases into the interior. As a result, some lawmakers have called for Mayorkas’ impeachment, and hearings on this matter will take place next week.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has noted that since Title 42 ended in May, it has removed more than 470,000 individuals, surpassing the total removals in FY 2019. Additionally, officials have admitted to releasing over 5,000 illegal immigrants per day into the U.S. interior, not accounting for those entering through ports of entry using the CBP One app. Negotiations are ongoing between lawmakers and the administration regarding a supplemental funding request, which includes $14 billion for border funding. Republicans insist on increasing limits on asylum and the administration’s use of parole, which they believe attracts migrants to the border. Despite initial resistance from Senate Democrats, the administration remains optimistic about the talks.
Mayorkas dismissed the notion that policies are the primary magnet for migrants, attributing it instead to the lengthy immigration case process, which can take six or more years. He expressed his commitment to working with both Republicans and Democrats to reform the immigration system, acknowledging that it is long overdue and a shared concern.
As Mayorkas navigates the growing criticism surrounding the border crisis, the impeachment hearings next week will undoubtedly be a significant moment in determining the future of his tenure as Homeland Security Secretary.
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