Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed that the U.S. southern border is secure during the Wednesday House Homeland Security Committee hearing.
During the lengthy hearing, GOP Representative Michael Guest in Mississippi testified, citing various data points of drug seizures, illegal immigrant surges, and other apprehensions at the border.
Before Wednesday’s hearing, Secretary Mayorkas repeatedly testified to the border being secured. Rep. Guest asked Mayorkas whether he continued to stand by the statement.
“My question to you, Secretary Mayorkas, is your testimony that all nine of the Southwest sectors from the Rio Grande Valley to San Diego, that under whatever definition you use that you believe that all nine sectors are secure?” asked Guest.
After trying to avoid the question, Mayorkas answered, “It is my testimony that the border is secure, and we are working every day and night to increase its security. The challenges that we are experiencing at the border cannot be overstated.”
Secretary Mayorkas stood by his claim after years of conflicting evidence and faced a new wave of backlash on social media.
“You can debate causes, solutions, etc. But to say the border is secure when you have thousands of people flooding over daily is just not credible,” said Rory Cooper, partner at Purple Strategies.
“Incredible,” wrote a National Review contributor.
GOP Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wrote, “Utter malarkey. Mayorkas needs to resign. #BidenBorderCrisis.
Phineas Fahrquar, a conservative commentator, asked, “Was this under oath? Because that’s willful perjury right there.”
Center for Immigration Studies executive director Mark Krikorian quipped, “In other news, 2+2+5.”
Mayorkas continues to maintain border is secure, despite contrary evidence
During Mayorkas’s testimony, Republican Representative August Pfluger of Texas asked the secretary if he believed the border was secure despite highlighting the deaths of Emilia and Maria Tambunga, which were caused by an illegal immigrant.
“Congressman, you are politicizing a tragedy,” fired back Mayorkas at Pfluger.
Rep. Pfluger mentioned that Raul Ortiz, Border Chief, testified that the border was not secure, to which Mayorkas answered that he “respectfully” disagreed.
Secretary Mayorkas has frequently testified the border was secure despite record numbers of illegal border crossings. In July, the secretary told the Aspen Security Forum that the border was secure despite the “historic challenge.”
During another House Committee hearing in November, North Carolina GOP Representative Dan Bishop also questioned Mayorkas on border security. “Secretary Mayorkas, do you continue to maintain that the border is secure?” asked Bishop.
“Yes, and we are working day in and day out to enhance security, congressman,” answered Mayorkas.
