The House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, making him the first cabinet secretary to be impeached since 1876. The vote was largely along party lines, with Republicans accusing Mayorkas of failing to secure the border and Democrats defending his record. To read more about the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas, please see the original article on Axios.
Quick Facts
- Republicans accuse Mayorkas of failing to comply with federal law and court rulings around migrant detention. They claim this failure is responsible for a surge in border crossings during the Biden administration.
- Mayorkas is accused of making false statements to Congress and obstructing oversight activities. The 22-page articles of impeachment allege that Mayorkas has “demonstrated he will remain a threat to national and border security”.
- Democrats and some Republicans have defended Mayorkas. They argue that the impeachment is purely political and lacks sufficient evidence to warrant such action.
The House Vote
The House voted 214-213 to impeach Mayorkas on two counts: “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and “breach of public trust.” Three Republicans voted with Democrats against impeachment. Mayorkas is unlikely to be convicted by the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.
Mayorkas’s Response
Mayorkas has denied the charges against him. He has called the impeachment effort a “political stunt” and has vowed to continue serving as Secretary of Homeland Security.
The Biden Administration’s Border Policies
The Biden administration has faced criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats over its handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. The administration has taken steps to reverse some of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies, but it has also struggled to deal with a surge in migrants at the border.
For Further Reading
Immigration Immigration is the process of people moving to another country with the goal of permanent settlement. People often leave their home country in search of better economic opportunities, political freedom, or to escape conflict and natural disasters. For more information, read about immigration on Wikipedia.
Q&A
Q: Why did the House of Representatives impeach Alejandro Mayorkas?
A: Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to impeach Secretary Mayorkas for his handling of migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border. There are two charges against Mayorkas: “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law” and “breach of public trust.”
Q: Is Mayorkas likely to be convicted and removed from office?
A: No. Democrats currently control the Senate, making it unlikely that Mayorkas will be convicted of the charges and removed from office.
Q: What are some of the specific criticisms of Mayorkas’ handling of the border?
A: Republicans in the House of Representatives argue that Mayorkas has failed to secure the border and allowed unprecedented numbers of migrants to cross into the US illegally. Mayorkas and his defenders counter that these claims are inaccurate and that the immigration surge has more to do with complex regional challenges than any failing on the part of the current administration.
Citation
Solender, A. (2024, February 14). Mayorkas becomes first cabinet secretary impeached since 1876. Axios. https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/mayorkas-cabinet-secretary-impeached
