Homeland Security Secretary Acknowledges High Rate of Release for Illegal Immigrants at Southern Border
Alejandro Mayorkas admits over 85% of apprehended migrants are released into the U.S.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas privately revealed to Border Patrol agents that the rate of release for illegal immigrants apprehended at the southern border is “above 85%,” according to sources. This admission comes after Mayorkas previously acknowledged that “well more than a million” migrants are released into the U.S. annually. The revelation raises concerns about the effectiveness of immigration enforcement and the strain it places on the immigration system.
Mayorkas’s Admission Raises Questions about Immigration Enforcement
During a private meeting with Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas, Secretary Mayorkas confirmed that the rate of release for apprehended migrants is higher than previously reported. This revelation contradicts the administration’s claims that the majority of migrants are placed in immigration enforcement proceedings. Mayorkas’s admission highlights the challenges faced by the Department of Homeland Security in dealing with the ongoing migrant crisis.
Border Patrol Agents Push for Clarity on Release Numbers
Border Patrol agents, unsatisfied with Mayorkas’s previous comments, pressed him to provide a more accurate figure regarding the rate of release for apprehended migrants. In response, Mayorkas acknowledged that the release rate is “above 85%,” indicating a higher percentage than initially reported. This admission further fuels concerns about the capacity of the immigration system to effectively handle the influx of migrants.
House Homeland Security Committee to Hold Impeachment Hearing
The timing of Mayorkas’s admission is significant, as the House Homeland Security Committee is set to hold its first impeachment hearing. The hearing will feature state attorneys general testifying about the impact of the migrant crisis on their respective states. Republicans have been critical of the Biden administration’s policies, attributing the surge in illegal border crossings to the practice of “catch-and-release” and the halting of wall construction.
Administration Calls for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The Biden administration argues that the migrant crisis is a result of a broken immigration system and calls for comprehensive immigration reform. Secretary Mayorkas and other Department of Homeland Security officials have emphasized the need for increased funding and cooperation from Congress to address the ongoing crisis. They have also highlighted the significant number of removals and returns carried out by the administration since May, surpassing the figures from the entire fiscal year of 2019.
Mayorkas Highlights Removals and Returns in Press Availability
During a press availability, Secretary Mayorkas emphasized the administration’s efforts to remove or return migrants, stating that the majority of Southwest Border encounters have resulted in removals, returns, or expulsions. He acknowledged the limitations imposed by a broken system but expressed the administration’s commitment to incentivize lawful pathways and reduce irregular migration. Mayorkas also highlighted the need for bipartisan cooperation in fixing the immigration system.
Conclusion: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s admission of a high rate of release for apprehended migrants at the southern border raises concerns about the effectiveness of immigration enforcement and the strain it places on the immigration system. The timing of this revelation, just before the House Homeland Security Committee’s impeachment hearing, further underscores the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis. As the Biden administration calls for comprehensive immigration reform and increased funding, the debate surrounding immigration policy continues to intensify. The resolution of this complex issue will require bipartisan cooperation and a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.