Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday declined to say exactly how many migrants apprehended after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border at ports of entry have been released into the country under the Biden administration. .
But Mayorkas insisted in an interview with Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier that he “knows the data” and said the number is “well over a million people.” . [migrants] “per year,” but did not provide specific numbers.
“Customs and Border Protection officials say they are currently releasing more than 70% of the migrants who cross the border each day, and in some cases even more. Does it surprise you? Baier asked the DHS secretary.
“That won't happen. That doesn't surprise me at all,” Mayorkas replied.
“We know the data. And we will tell you that when individuals are released, they are released into immigration enforcement proceedings,” he added, claiming that a “record number” of immigrants were “deported or expelled” last year. did.
Mayorkas is under threat of impeachment from House Republicans, who have accused Biden administration officials of dereliction of duty over the ongoing immigration crisis.
The Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee announced Wednesday that it plans to hold a hearing on Jan. 10 to assess Mayorkas' “failed leadership and refusal to enforce immigration laws.”
Mayorkas has vowed not to resign even if he is impeached.
“I lead 260 incredibly dedicated and talented men and women at the Department of Homeland Security. I will continue to lead them and advance our mission to protect the American people,” he said. told Mr. Baier.
Asked if he would accept an increase in Congressional funding for border security, provided it would only be used to detain and deport migrants, Mr. Mayorkas said he would not.
“This funding is needed to provide more Border Patrol agents to the Department of Homeland Security. This funding is needed to provide more technology to the Department of Homeland Security. This funding is needed to provide more Border Patrol agents to the Department of Homeland Security. “It's needed to provide space to the Department of Justice, it's needed to provide the Department of Justice with more immigration judges so they can more quickly administer justice,” he argued.
Mr. Mayorkas also refused to take responsibility for the historic number of illegal immigrants, instead blaming a “dictatorship” and “extreme weather conditions.”
“This is not unique to the southern U.S. border,” he said. “This is a phenomenon we're seeing across the hemisphere and around the world. We have more authoritarian regimes. We have more extreme weather events that force people out of their homes. We have poverty, but America has prosperity. It has been proven that.”
More than 2.47 million encounters with migrants were reported along the U.S.-Mexico border during fiscal year 2023, which ends Sept. 30. According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
During the same period, only about 142,000 noncitizens were deported to more than 180 countries around the world, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. annual report.
