The Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is set to commence discussions on impeachment proceedings against Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday.
Unusual Move
The Republican move, which is highly unusual, occurs amidst escalating political tensions surrounding immigration.
Accusations of Policy Misconduct
The House Homeland Security Committee will deliberate on two impeachment articles against Mayorkas. He is accused of deliberately promoting unlawful immigration through permissive policies and deceiving Congress.
Impeachment Resolution
The impeachment resolution states, “Alejandro N. Mayorkas willfully and systemically refused to comply with the immigration laws, failed to control the border to the detriment of national security, compromised public safety, and violated the rule of law and separation of powers in the Constitution, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.”
Democrats Response
Democrats regard this impeachment initiative as a partisan maneuver, while legal scholars argue that the policy grievances cited by Republicans do not align with the severe misconduct required for impeachment.
Past Impeachment Instance
The only cabinet member impeached by the House was Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876 under President Grant, who was later acquitted in the Senate.
Immigration: A Key GOP Concern
Amid concerns from the Republican base about unprecedented illegal border crossings since President Biden’s inauguration, the GOP has intensified its focus on border security.
Reversal of Immigration Policies
The party criticizes President Biden for reversing the stringent immigration policies of his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Surge in Migrant Encounters
Since Mayorkas assumed the role of DHS chief in February 2021, there have been over six million migrant encounters along the southern border. In December 2023 alone, there were more than 300,000 migrant encounters, marking a new record high.
Baseless” & False Allegations
Alejandro Mayorkas, a former federal prosecutor, firmly rejects these allegations, describing them as “baseless” and “false.”
In a letter to Representative Mark Green, Republican chairman of the Homeland committee, Mayorkas affirms his dedication to law enforcement and public service.
“Accusations Do Not Rattle Me”
Mayorkas wrote, “I assure you that your false accusations do not rattle me and do not divert me from the law enforcement and broader public service mission to which I have devoted most of my career and to which I remain devoted.”
Widening Impeachment Scope
The House is simultaneously conducting an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, a demand made by certain Republican hardliners shortly after his election in 2020.
Trump’s Two Impeachments
Former President Trump faced two impeachment trials during his four years in office, with Senate Republicans voting to acquit him on both occasions.
Biden Administration’s Stance
Biden administration seeks a more organized and compassionate immigration system. On Friday, he endorsed an as-yet-unreleased Senate border agreement, which would grant extensive authority to send migrants back to Mexico.
“Closing the Border”
He also mentioned the possibility of “closing the border” if the bill gets approved.
Crafting Border Crisis Deal
Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell have been in discussions for several months to formulate a deal aimed at addressing the border crisis.
Ukraine Aid to Immigration Policies
This proposed deal would link U.S. foreign aid funding for Ukraine to the implementation of new domestic immigration policies.
Opposition to Proposal
Trump has been actively opposing this proposal, stating his reluctance to negotiate with Democrats during an election year. This move is seen as a strategic move by the former president to capitalize on border issues by critiquing the policies of the Biden administration.
Push for Impeachment
House Republicans insist on impeachment, criticizing Mayorkas for not detaining migrants at the border and excessively permitting legal entries via an emergency “parole” system.
Lack of Evidence
Representative Bennie Thompson, a leading Democrat on the Homeland committee, contends that the Republican allegations against Mayorkas lack substantive evidence to justify impeachment proceedings.
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