During a recent House Appropriations Committee hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas faced questioning regarding the release rate of illegal immigrants apprehended at the U.S. border. The inquiry stemmed from a Fox News Digital article alleging that Mayorkas had admitted to Border Patrol agents that the current release rate is 'above 85%.'
Rep. Michael Guest raised the issue, referencing the reported conversation where Mayorkas supposedly made the statement during a meeting with Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas. Mayorkas initially expressed unfamiliarity with the specific number mentioned but offered to provide more information to address the question accurately.
Guest then read excerpts from the Fox News Digital report, prompting Mayorkas to clarify that he did not view the article as a transcript and refrained from disputing its contents. When pressed further by Guest, Mayorkas stated that he could not confirm the accuracy of the reported statistic and committed to verifying the data.
The exchange occurred amidst growing tensions, with Republican senators considering obstruction of legislative proceedings in the Senate unless a full trial into the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas is conducted. The House had previously voted to impeach Mayorkas in February, leading to potential disruptions in Senate business as GOP senators seek clarity on the impeachment process.
The situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding immigration policies and enforcement measures at the U.S. border. As the debate continues, stakeholders await further developments regarding the accuracy of the release rate for illegal immigrants and the potential implications for Homeland Security operations.
