Just after U.S. Customs and Border Protection released its latest southern border data on Friday, a prominent House Republican indicated his committee will soon consider Department of Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s possible impeachment in the new year.
At least 242,418 illegal immigrants tried crossing the southern border in November, marking the highest November ever and the third-highest monthly total on record. Of the total encounters, 191,113 aliens were arrested between officially designated ports of entry along the border, while the remaining 51,305 lacked the proper paperwork to legally enter the U.S.
In response, Homeland Security Committee chairman Mark Green (R., Tenn.) said in a statement that his congressional panel will initiate impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas in early 2024 for his mishandling of the border crisis. The announcement comes days after the committee finished its months-long investigation into the DHS secretary.
“This devastating and utter disaster for our country will no longer be tolerated,” Green said.
The congressman noted he believes that the Biden administration intentionally released the November update right before Christmas to bury the numbers.
“By strategically holding the release of these numbers until the Friday before Christmas, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is unabashedly showing the full measure of his duplicity,” Green added. “These numbers are so bad, he wants as few Americans to see them as possible. And December’s numbers, which will be released in January, are anticipated to be even more grim. Fortunately, next month the Secretary won’t have a major holiday as a convenient shield to hide behind.”
The record-high illegal immigration comes as Congress’s negotiations to provide additional border resources and security have stalled before the holiday recess.
“We are facing a serious challenge along the southwest border and CBP and our federal partners need more resources from Congress — as outlined in the supplemental budget request — to enhance border security and America’s national security,” said Troy Miller, CBP senior official performing the duties of the commissioner. “Despite ongoing challenges, in November, the men and women of CBP continued their tireless work and recorded increased seizures of illegal narcotics while facilitating lawful trade and increased holiday travel.”
Last month, there were at least 308,728 border encounters nationwide when accounting for the northern border.