(NewsNation) — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas’ testimony before the Senate on Tuesday drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans.
This comes amid ongoing Republican pressure to hold the Biden administration accountable for what they call the crisis on the Southern border.
In a heated public hearing, Majorcas refused to admit there was a “crisis” at the border.
“He doesn’t see an open border as a problem,” former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott said. This secretary refuses to be honest with America and needs to be held accountable. He really needs to be impeached for just not being open and honest about what’s going on. Policy differences aside, this is not about immigration and they want it all to be about immigration. ”
Rep. Jenn Kiggans (R-Va.) told NewsNation that the first step would be to acknowledge that the southern border “has a problem”.
“Step one is acknowledging that we have open borders, that there are crises at borders. This is a humanitarian crisis. This is a national security crisis. I was.
Kigans, one of the members of the House committee that visited the U.S.-Mexico border in February, said he had visited the border twice and said “the border crisis cannot continue.”
The influx of fentanyl into the United States was a top concern for senators on both sides. Mayorkas covered the use of technology and efforts by the sector to use artificial intelligence as a force multiplier for border agents.
In a tense exchange with Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, Mallorcas repeatedly highlighted port of entry as a major concern. He also stressed that asylum-seeking migrants and fentanyl seizures at ports of entry should be treated as separate issues.
“I was disappointed that he didn’t at least admit that the cartels were domestic terrorists,” Kigans said. “They are running the show, they are technologically advanced, they are very smart and knowledgeable. They find ways to escape capture by Border Patrol.
Lawmakers are urging the Biden administration to label cartel members as terrorists to combat border smuggling and the fentanyl crisis. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Anthony Brinken said he would “consider” designating Mexican drug cartels a federal terrorist organization. The White House has rejected a Republican lawmaker’s proposal to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, arguing that they would yield minimal benefits.
Meanwhile, in a heated exchange, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz lashed out at Mallorcas, blaming him for not recognizing the importance of the color-coded wristband image he referenced on his easel. Called “impossible”.
Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff Mark Danells believes Majorcas “knows exactly” what’s going on at the border.
“He was in DHS. He knows the system. He knows the border. But what’s not happening now is the will to secure it. We need to secure the border.” said Dunnells. “The problem I have is: Secretary Mayorkas, as the leader of the Department of Homeland Security, as Secretary of Homeland Security, we need to step up and acknowledge it and work together to secure this border. That’s what we want from him.”
Kigans said there are improvements that could help or be completed to address border security issues.
“There are many ways to make small improvements, such as finishing the walls. So let’s do those little things Let’s finish the walls Let’s install the lights Let’s install the security cameras That’s step one “
Several lawmakers are now calling for Mayorcas to resign.
