“Our detention… “Capacity is limited by the funds encountered at the border.” Congress provides it for us. “But he wouldn't be surprised if the release rate exceeded 70%,'' he said, adding, “When individuals are released, they are released into immigration enforcement proceedings. There is.”
Host Bret Baier asked, “Obviously, President Biden just finished his third year in office. How many illegal immigrants has DHS released into this country from the border during this time?”
Mayorkas replied: “Brett, let me correct a misunderstanding. When someone enters the country, they are subject to immigration enforcement proceedings pursuant to immigration law. And if their claim for relief, their claim to remain in the United States, is successful, by law they It means you can stay here. If it doesn't work, we'll remove it.”
Mr. Baier then asked: Over 1 million? 2000000? “
Mayorkas said, “Brett, that number is well over 1 million a year. That's why we've been saying since the beginning of this administration that we need to fix our fundamentally broken immigration system. ” he answered.
Baier then asked, “But let's say last month we set a new record of 300,000 encounters by CBP. How many of those were released from custody and entered the country?”
Mr. Mayorkas said, “Mr. Brett, our detention capacity is limited by the funding Congress provides us. We have returned and removed a historic number of individuals. experienced numbers [are] The very reason I went to Mexico to talk to the Mexican president is to encourage Mexico to police its southern border and enforce its laws along the migration route to reduce the number of people encountered at the southern border. was. . This is a regional challenge and requires regional solutions. That's exactly why I traveled to Mexico last week. ”
Baier continued, “Would it be surprising to hear that CBP officials are now releasing more than 70% of the migrants who cross each day, sometimes even more?” Would you be surprised if it was over 70%?”
Mr. Mayorkas replied: We know the data. And we will tell you that when an individual is released, they are released into immigration enforcement proceedings. They are receiving alternatives to detention. and returned or removed individuals in record numbers. We enforce the laws passed by Congress. ”
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