Secretary Of The Department Of Homeland Security (Dhs), Alejandro Mayorkas, Expresses Disapproval Of Texas’ Approach In Managing The Border Situation.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – The Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, expressed his criticism towards Texas’ efforts to prevent illegal immigration while commending Vice President Kamala Harris for her role in addressing the root causes of the ongoing border crisis.

Mayorkas shared his views during his speech at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, where political speakers, newsmakers, and journalists gather to discuss current events.

He described Texas’ actions as going directly against the national interests, marking it as the first time in his 20 to 22 years of government service where he witnessed a state acting in such a manner.

Since President Joe Biden assumed office in January 2021, approximately 10 million illegal immigrants have entered the United States. In March 2021, Harris was entrusted with the responsibility of dealing with the illegal immigration issue. However, as the 2024 election approaches, Harris, now the Democratic Party nominee for president, faces criticism for her handling of the border crisis.

According to Andrew Mahaleris, Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s press secretary, Texas has allocated $11 billion towards Operation Lone Star. This initiative involves deploying thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, transporting illegal immigrants to self-declared sanctuary cities, installing strategic barriers, and constructing a border wall.

Operation Lone Star was implemented in March 2021 by Texas to address the dangerous gaps in border security that were created by the Biden administration and Harris, explained Mahaleris in an email to The Epoch Times. As a result of these efforts, illegal border crossings have decreased by 85 percent.

Mahaleris stated that Texas will continue using every possible tool and strategy to respond to the border crisis until President Biden and Border Czar Harris take decisive action to secure the border.

Mayorkas criticized Abbott’s approach of busing illegal immigrants to other states and cities without providing notice or coordinating with the receiving cities. He labeled this as incomprehensible and indicative of poor governance. Mayorkas questioned whether this approach is solely intended to create havoc and disorder in the receiving communities for political purposes.

Mayorkas also expressed his disapproval of Senate Bill 4, which was signed into law by Abbott. The law, set to take effect on March 5, is currently in limbo due to the Biden administration’s lawsuit. Mayorkas believes that immigration is the responsibility of the federal government and that SB 4 makes crossing into Texas unlawfully from a foreign nation a state felony. It also grants power to state and local law enforcement to make arrests and carry out deportations. The law shares similarities with a 2010 Arizona law that was mostly invalidated by a Supreme Court decision in 2012. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has called for a reevaluation of the Supreme Court’s decision on the Arizona law.

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During his time in Austin, Mayorkas defended Harris’s efforts in addressing the root causes of mass migration to the United States. He acknowledged her exceptional work in driving resources to the countries in the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala). Mayorkas explained that public-private partnerships are being established to invest in these countries, aiming to develop industries and generate jobs as a means of addressing the underlying reasons why migrants leave their home countries. These reasons include violence, poverty, extreme weather events, and corruption.

Mayorkas also mentioned the Senates failed bipartisan border bill, stating that it could have helped control immigration. However, various forces intervened, preventing a solution from being reached. The bill faced opposition from Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, who argued that it would do more harm than good and claimed that the president already possesses the authority to close the border, as demonstrated during his tenure. Mayorkas did not address the potential consequences of the resumption of a controversial parole program or the coordinated effort with Mexico to assist migrants in reaching the U.S. border in his speech.

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The parole program allows potential illegal immigrants to be processed for asylum claims by CBP agents at ports of entry in border states, with the majority being released into the country. Mexico has recently announced that it will offer migrants in its southern region free bus rides and meals to the U.S. southern border if they have confirmed appointments through the app. This has resulted in a decrease in illegal immigration between ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. Under the program, up to 30,000 foreign nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are permitted to fly directly into U.S. airports monthly. Parole applicants must have a sponsor and purchase their own airplane tickets to qualify for the program. Homeland Security Committee Chairman Representative Mark Green has labeled the mass parole program as unlawful and an attempt to divert attention from the overwhelming issue of an overrun border.


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