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Threatened with impeachment, Mayorkas defends record at border on January 8, 2024 at 11:24 pm
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas touted his record managing the U.S.-Mexico border and blamed Congress for legislative paralysis Monday, days ahead of the first House impeachment hearing against him.
Mayorkas pushed back against Republican claims that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under his watch has sat on the sidelines or encouraged migrants to enter the United States illegally.
“After the ending of Title 42 In May of this year through the end of the fiscal year, DHS removed or returned more noncitizens without a basis to remain in the United States than in any other five-month period in the last 10 years,” he said.
“In fact, the majority of all migrants encountered at the southwest border throughout this administration have been removed, returned or expelled. A majority of them.”
On Wednesday, the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing titled “Havoc in the Heartland: How Secretary Mayorkas’ Failed Leadership Has Impacted the States,” promoted by Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) as the beginning of the impeachment process against Mayorkas.
“For almost three years, the American people have demanded an end to the unprecedented crisis at the Southwest border, and they have also rightly called for Congress to hold accountable those responsible,” Green said in a statement.
“That’s why the House Committee on Homeland Security led a comprehensive investigation into the causes, costs, and consequences of this crisis. Our investigation made clear that this crisis finds its foundation in Secretary Mayorkas’ decision-making and refusal to enforce the laws passed by Congress, and that his failure to fulfill his oath of office demands accountability.”
In November, the House voted to send articles of impeachment against Mayorkas to Green’s committee, slapping down an effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to fast-track the process.
But Republicans have made clear they intend to put further pressure on the DHS head, and some centrists who voted to send the impeachment to committee have indicated they would support a leadership-led effort to go through with impeachment.
Democrats and the administration have pushed back on the allegations made in the now-multiple attempts to impeach Mayorkas, all of which share the core idea that DHS is not implementing immigration laws as passed by Congress.
“Some have accused DHS of not enforcing our nation’s laws. This could not be further from the truth,” Mayorkas said Monday.
“Having begun my public service career as a federal prosecutor for 12 years, ultimately serving as the United States Attorney, there is nothing I take more seriously than our responsibility to uphold the law, and the men and women of DHS are working around the clock to do so.”
The Biden administration and Mayorkas have been under fire over their policy decisions at the border from day one.
Republicans have grown increasingly confident that immigration is their strongest issue against Biden, and have pushed the idea of a chaotic, dangerous border fostered by the alleged incompetence or connivance of officials including Mayorkas.
From the left, the attacks have centered on the administration’s embrace of deterrence as an effective tool to decrease migration to the United States.
“As we all know all too well, the issue of immigration is an issue that is highly politicized. And it is very important that the American public understand the facts, the extraordinary dedication of the Department of Homeland Security’s personnel, all this administration has done,” Mayorkas said. “And it’s very important that they understand that the challenge that we are experiencing is a challenge that is a function of a number of factors.”
According to him, the high number of migrant arrivals at the southwest border boils down to two factors: a global migration phenomenon that’s uniquely acute in the Western Hemisphere, and the United States’s inability to regulate that phenomenon because of an archaic immigration system.
“But within the constraints of a broken immigration system, at a time when the world and this hemisphere in particular is experiencing an unprecedented level of displaced people, we are creating creative solutions to a significant problem that is not unique to us,” he said.
Though Mayorkas was sharply critical of Congress’s inability to modernize the immigration system, he lauded the bipartisan Senate negotiations that since December have sought a consensus on border policy changes.
“The senators, the Republican and Democratic senators that I’ve been privileged to be at the table with, along with my colleagues from the White House, have been working tirelessly to reach a framework to reach a legislative solution that both the Senate and the House can pass and that can transform the manner in which we address the challenges of migration that are so very different than they were 10, 20 and 30 years ago,” he said.
Those negotiations have received their fair share of criticism, especially from the left and groups such as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which has not had a seat at the table despite its members’ unique interest in immigration.
Mayorkas also touted the Biden administration’s work with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to reduce migration through that country, saying Mexican enforcement had lapsed and is once again blocking some migrants from heading north.
Mayorkas said the increase in migrant arrivals in December “coincides with a time when Mexican enforcement was no longer implemented. The immigration enforcement agency in Mexico was not funded.”
Mexico has upped its immigration enforcement efforts — efforts that in the past have yielded credible accusations of human rights violations — and the number of arrivals dropped precipitously in the first week of January.
Yet Mayorkas said that drop may not be permanent, and may not have happened solely as a result of Mexico’s efforts.
“It is too early to tell whether the significant drop in the number of encounters we have experienced over the past week is a function of the season, the holiday season, or whether it is a function of the fact that the Mexican authorities have resumed their enforcement operations, and it very well may be a combination of both,” he said.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas touted his record managing the U.S.-Mexico border and blamed Congress for legislative paralysis Monday, days ahead of the first House impeachment hearing against him. Mayorkas pushed back against Republican claims that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under his watch has sat on the sidelines or encouraged migrants to enter…
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GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT RETURNS FOR ITS 5TH EDITION AT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT – HOUSE OF LORDS, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Theme: “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation”
London, United Kingdom — The Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) is officially back for its landmark 5th Edition, continuing its legacy as one of the leading international platforms driving sustainable development, climate action, ethical investment, innovation, and global collaboration.
Convened annually at the prestigious British Parliament, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, by Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto, the Summit has, over the last four years, successfully fostered international dialogue and partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of global sustainability goals, the establishment of sustainability-focused ministries, departments and policy structures across national and subnational governments, and the attraction of major investors into sustainable development projects, corporations and emerging economies.
This year’s summit, themed “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation,” will explore how emerging technologies, responsible leadership, sustainable finance, innovation, and global partnerships can shape a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious future.
The 5th Edition promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, innovators, climate experts and youth leaders from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions toward achieving a sustainable and equitable future.
Among the distinguished speakers, delegates and honorees already lined up for the Summit are:
• His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum
• His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu — Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria
• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano — Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico
• Lord Marvin Rees, Baron Rees of Easton OBE — Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom
• Hon. Neema K. Lugangira — Secretary-General of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Brussels and Former Member of Parliament
• Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — President of the Republic of Namibia
• His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba — Former President of Namibia
• Former President of Tanzania
• Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq — First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum
• Your Excellency Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON — Executive Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Nigeria
• Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma — Governor of Khomas Region, Namibia
• H.E. Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete — High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the United Kingdom
• Her Excellency Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka — High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom
• Ms. Danielle Newman — Partner Lead, ICT, World Economic Forum
• Leanne Elliott Young — Co-founder, Institute of Digital Fashion & CommuneEast
• Ms. Chloe Russell — Producer & Presenter, Art, Science and Nature
• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger — University of Cambridge & University of Waterloo
• Dr. Alexandra R. Harrington — IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)
• Professor Payam Akhavan — Massey College, University of Toronto
• Mr. Mallai C. E. Sathya — President, Dravida Vetri Kazhagam and International Movement for Tamil Culture Asia
The Summit will feature high-level panel discussions, strategic investment conversations, sustainability awards, policy dialogues, innovation showcases, youth engagement sessions and international networking opportunities focused on climate resilience, ethical financing, food-water-energy sustainability, circular economy, artificial intelligence, diplomacy and sustainable development.
Speaking ahead of the Summit, Convener Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto noted:
“As the world rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence and technological innovation, we must ensure that sustainability remains people-centered, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. The Global Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting governments, institutions, innovators and investors to accelerate practical sustainability solutions globally. Our fifth edition is not only a celebration of progress made over the years, but also a renewed call for global collaboration and actionable impact toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions.”
The Global Sustainability Summit continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative partnerships and sustainable global progress, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
More announcements regarding additional speakers, partners and summit activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.
What Trump Is Saying
Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.
How Taxes Work Now
Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.
Questions From Experts
Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.
What Congress Must Do
The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.
What It Means Right Now
For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.
Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.
The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.
“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”
U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.
Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.
The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.
Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.
Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.
As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.
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