CNN's John Berman asked Democratic New Mexico Congressman Gabe Vazquez why he zeroed in on the refugee reform bill amid the border crisis and system backlog.

Vázquez began by calling the impeachment process against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas “dishonest” and “going nowhere.” He also claimed that immigration is a “hot political issue” and that in an election year, Republicans “want to make this a political issue,” prompting a backlash from Berman.

“Well, this isn't just a political issue, but yeah, I mean, this is a real issue. You just called it a crisis,” Berman said. “You had a series of proposals going back to November and even before that. I was reading the proposal. I wasn't in it. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Please. There are no reforms or major changes you have proposed to the asylum process. Why not?” (Related: Asylum seeker detained after allegedly raping woman in front of 3-year-old child)

“I think we need some time to think about what is the best decision and what our values ​​as Americans are when it comes to immigration and asylum procedures in this country. “The State Department can do a better job, for example, in combating human trafficking and smuggling, and educating immigrants and communities in southern states, including our neighbor to the south, Mexico,” Vázquez said. Ta.

“We may end up doing what the administration is currently doing, working with Mexico, Central American countries and others to help with the current crisis we are witnessing. , we cannot give up or capitulate to the Republican Party's harsh anti-immigration policies, which reflect a very serious and profound change in asylum policy, which has long been a part of our American heritage. and they say to people, “Give us what's yours.'' Huddle together, give us your weary, give us your needy. So these are arguments that cannot be made hastily or hastily. There are some things we can do on the ground right now to ease the situation at the border. ”

Senate Republicans are demand change Asylum law that disqualifies immigrants from applying for asylum if they transit through a third country without seeking refuge there before arriving in the United States. Migrants are also only allowed to apply for asylum at official ports of entry and must meet higher standards to avoid expedited deportation.