Washington DC – Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas received mixed performance reviews from the American public in the nation's capital.
”“He's not doing the right thing. Maybe he's trying hard, but it's not working,” Jacqueline, a longtime Washington, D.C., resident, told Fox News.
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Mayorkas spoke at an event in Eagle Pass, Texas, a small border community that has seen thousands of immigrants flow into their community since December. (John Moore/Getty Images)
“Everyone, including your cousins and great-grandmothers, thousands of people cross the border every day,” she continued. “The situation is completely ridiculous and out of control.”
However, others, like Joe, disagreed and said Mr. Mayorkas “did a pretty good job.”
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The House Homeland Security Committee held an impeachment hearing Wednesday to scrutinize Mr. Mayorkas' performance, with the Republican majority claiming he failed in his duty to ensure a secure border between the United States and Mexico. Mr. Mayorkas did not attend the hearing, titled “Heartland Havoc: How Secretary Mayorkas' Failed Leadership Affected States,'' but he did not attend the hearing, which was titled “Heartland Havoc: How Secretary Mayorkas' Failed Leadership Affected States.'' The Attorney General's Office testified about how his immigration policies have negatively affected each state.
Illegal immigration has skyrocketed during Mr. Mayorkas' tenure. Millions of migrants have been arrested, and at least one million more have successfully evaded border authorities.
Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee heard testimony from the attorneys general of Montana, Missouri and Oklahoma about how Department of Homeland Security policies affect their states. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“I think he's doing the best he can given the magnitude of the problem,” Abu told Fox News. “As an immigrant, I know this is a difficult issue.”
“So we can't just turn everyone back,” he continued. “But this is getting out of hand and we need to put some rules and limits in place.”
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Mayorkas acknowledged last week that the majority of illegal immigrants encountered have been released into the United States. Mayorkas also reportedly told Border Patrol agents on Monday that the release rate for undocumented immigrants apprehended at the border is more than 85%.
“There doesn't seem to be any relief at all,” one Washington, D.C., resident told Fox News. “I just hope that the next administration, whether Democratic or Republican, can address this issue.”
Republicans argue that lax border policies under Mayorkas have encouraged drug trafficking and made the nation less safe. Meanwhile, House Democrats have criticized the impeachment hearings as a sham and a disgrace.
“We're seeing an immigration crisis and we're seeing sanctuary cities taking in people. So, especially for big cities like D.C., New York and Chicago that are taking in immigrants, that's a big deal. I recognize that it's a problem,” Miles told Fox News. “And mayors are starting to say, 'We don't have enough space.'
“So this is a big problem,” he added. “It was one of the most watched votes in 2024.”
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Cynthia, from Washington, D.C., said immigrants receive preferential treatment than some U.S. citizens.
“They're getting a lot of things that we as Americans born here don't get, can't get, don't get. We have a lot of red tape,” she said. . “Everyone should be treated the same.”
Click here to read the full interview about Mr. Mayorkas' work.
