In a heated Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) hammered Joe Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his mismanagement of the ongoing legal and humanitarian crisis at the southern border. Cruz claimed that Mayorkas’ actions have resulted in numerous tragic incidents involving children and accused him of undermining the efforts of the Border Patrol.
The exchange between Cruz and Mayorkas followed the testimony of Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz earlier this month. Ortiz highlighted points of disagreement with the Biden administration and argued that the U.S. lacks operational control of the border.
TED CRUZ: “You’re willing to let children be RAPED to follow political orders…”
SEC. MAYORKAS: “What the senator said was revolting. I’m not going to address it.”
TED CRUZ: “Your refusal to do your JOB is revolting!” 🔥🔥🔥
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 28, 2023
Ortiz’s comments have prompted Republicans to increase pressure on Mayorkas, with some accusing him of lying to Congress or lacking knowledge about the border crisis. Cruz emphasized the need for Mayorkas and others to testify before the House Homeland Security Committee to address these concerns.
In particular, Cruz pointed out that Mayorkas was unable to explain the significance of the wristbands worn by some migrants, which angered the senator further and led him to label the Homeland Security Secretary as “incompetent.”
It was astonishing to see that Alejandro Mayorkas did not know what these wristbands are.
These are the modern day leg irons of children being sold into slavery.
When you go to the border, you see thousands of these wristbands.pic.twitter.com/kEN3hQLyL7
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 29, 2023
Cruz argued that Mayorkas’ lack of familiarity with the realities of the crisis at the southern border is deeply concerning. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz’s sworn testimony recognized that the border situation is indeed a crisis, making Americans and undocumented immigrants less safe.
Mayorkas’ unwillingness to acknowledge the situation as a crisis and his inability to address critical aspects demonstrates a failure to effectively manage the ongoing humanitarian disaster.
Senator Cruz has consistently advocated for more robust border security measures, introducing the WALL Act and the EL CHAPO Act to fund the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and using forfeited funds from drug lords’ prosecutions for border security purposes. He has also fought for “Kate’s Law” to impose mandatory minimum sentences for those attempting to reenter the U.S. illegally after being expelled.
The current humanitarian crisis at the border urgently requires remediation. Unfortunately, the Biden administration’s handling of the situation has led to numerous tragic incidents and strained resources, as evidenced by the testimony of Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz and the strong criticism from Cruz.
Mayorkas’ inability to acknowledge the crisis and address key concerns raises questions about his competency and the overall direction of the Biden administration’s border policy. As a result, immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all those affected by the ongoing border crisis and to restore faith in the U.S. government’s ability to manage this critical issue.