Congresswoman Tenney Calls on DHS Secretary Mayorkas to Resign Amid Intensifying Border Crisis

Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) released the following statement calling on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign amid the deteriorating situation at the border. 

"Secretary Mayorkas’ trip to the Southern Border yesterday was more smoke and mirrors.

"This Administration’s open border policies have incentivized a record number of illegal crossings into the United States," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. "Migrant surges may not be new, but the magnitude of this current crisis is unprecedented. Illegal crossings have soared each month President Biden has been in office, reaching more than 200,000 encounters in July. This is more than three times the population of Utica, and over four times the population of Binghamton. Just as concerning, most illegal immigrants who have been released into our communities are failing to show up to their court dates and others have been released after testing positive for COVID-19. Customs and Border Patrol agents are trying their hardest to protect our country, but they are under resourced, overwhelmed and undermined by an Administration that does not support their basic mission.

"The inability of the Biden Administration to get this unrestrained migrant surge under control is the very definition of failure," Congresswoman Tenney continued. "While the buck ultimately stops with President Biden, his Homeland Security Secretary bears significant responsibility. Since he was confirmed in February, Secretary Mayorkas has failed to secure our border and has instead repeatedly downplayed the crisis. He has attacked anyone, including Members of Congress, who question his ability to do the job. All the while, illegal crossings have topped one million under his watch.

"It’s clear Secretary Mayorkas is failing to control the crisis at the border. He has lost the confidence of the American people. I therefore call on Secretary Mayorkas to resign effective immediately. President Biden must appoint someone to this important role who is up to the job of securing our border." 

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