In a vehement exchange with Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc. Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas maintained that the U.S. borders are closed. During a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Johnson challenged Alejandro on the surge of illegal immigration under the Biden administration.
"You have repeatedly stated that our borders are not open, they're closed. Do you honestly believe that our borders are closed?" Johnson asked.
"Senator, I do, and let me speak to that - " Mayorkas responded before being cut off by the senator.
"No, let me ask you a couple questions here," Johnson interjected.
Johnson referred to a Sep. 11 letter that was sent to Senate leadership by former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott that warned that the agency was losing its ability to police the southern border and that he was "sickened by the avoidable and rapid disintegration of what was arguably the most effective border security in our Nation's history."
Johnson while speaking to Mayorkas said, "We were serious about border security until your administration took office. You stood before this committee and said you would enforce the laws. You have not done that."
The senator then asked Mayorkas for a "ballpark" estimate for how many of the 1.3 million migrants apprehended since October are still being detained, how many have been deported and how many have been released into the U.S.
"Of the 1.3 million people that we've apprehended, how many have been returned, how many people are being detained, and how many people have been dispersed? And I want some numbers here," Johnson insisted on knowing.
"Senator, I would be pleased to provide you with that data - " Mayyorkas replied before getting cut short by Johnson.
"I want them now," Johnson said. "Why don't you have that information now?"
"Senator, I do not have that data before me," Mayorkas stated.
Senator Mayorkas insist borders are closed even though 12,000 illegal migrants are camped out under the Del Rio International Bridge
"Why not? Why don't you have that basic information?" Sen. Johnson asked.
"Senator, I want to be accurate," Mayorkas said.
Ultimately Mayorkas was unable to provide the estimates.
The heated exchange comes one day after the DHS secretary visited the Texas border city of Del Rio, where thousands of Haitian migrants crossed into the U.S. and set up a huge encampment under the Del Rio International Bridge.
"If you come to the United States illegally, you will be returned. Your journey will not succeed and you will be endangering your life and your family's lives," Mayorkas said Monday. "This administration is committed to developing safe, orderly and humane pathways for migration. This is not the way to do it."
