Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has “utterly failed” at maintaining control of the southern border, as Republicans gear up to potentially impeach the secretary.
Over 2 million immigrants crossed the border during fiscal year 2022. Last week, Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) filed articles of impeachment against Mayorkas on the basis of the secretary committing high crimes and misdemeanors.
EL PASO FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS PLEAD WITH SENATORS OVER GROWING BORDER CRISIS
The articles blame Mayorkas and the Biden administration’s policies for over 1 million “gotaways” that have escaped custody and entered the United States.
Ciscomani said in an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that this is no longer just an issue for the states near the border.
“Every state has become a border state at this point, because people are going to every single part of our country,” Ciscomani said. “So, it’s an issue that every single community is feeling in different ways, but it’s certainly out of control, has been out of control.”
The newly-elected Arizonan Republican, who was born in Mexico, said he is a big “proponent and defender” of the “American Dream” when it is done legally.
“I remember that the first oath I took to the Constitution was to become a U.S. citizen, and the second oath that I took 16 years later, was to become a U.S. member of the United States Congress,” Ciscomani said. “So, this is the kind of opportunity this country offers, and we need to fight for that American Dream for everyone that wants a shot at it. And part of that is, of course, the rule of law and keeping opportunity alive for everyone.”
Ciscomani referenced President Joe Biden’s long-awaited first trip to the southern border since he took office in early January. He said what stood out to him was Biden’s congratulatory speech for Vice President Kamala Harris’ work at the border.
“I don’t know what vice president he was looking at,” Ciscomani said. “But I can tell you there is nothing to be proud about.”
He mentioned the rapid increase in overdoses and deaths due to fentanyl in southern Arizona becoming the number one leading cause of death among young people in the state overall, as well as the “800 migrants” that died while attempting to cross the desert into the U.S.
“So, he just shows that he’s completely out of touch on this issue,” the Arizona representative said.
Now that the House of Representatives is back under Republican control, Ciscomani said they are going to hold Mayorkas accountable for both the actions and lack thereof at the border.
“Alejandro Mayorkas has utterly failed at his job,” Ciscomani said when asked if Mayorkas should be impeached. “He’s been asleep at the wheel and has not been held accountable, and that is a big, big problem … He has to go.”
If the Republican-led House does manage to impeach the secretary, it is unlikely the articles will pass through the Democratic majority in the Senate. Mayorkas has said he has no plans to resign from his post, stating that the accusations levied against him do not meet the constitutional standard for high crimes and misdemeanors.
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“Secretary Mayorkas is proud to advance the noble mission of this Department, support its extraordinary workforce, and serve the American people,” a DHS spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “The Department will continue our work to enforce our laws and secure our border, while building a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system. Members of Congress can do better than point the finger at someone else; they should come to the table and work on solutions for our broken system and outdated laws, which they have not updated in over 40 years.”
