Katko & Higgins to Mayorkas: We Need Answers Now

WASHINGTON, DC – In light of concerning developments at the southern border, Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ranking Member of the Border Security Subcommittee, are calling on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to formally brief members of the Committee.

In a letter, Katko and Higgins highlighted the Biden Administration’s lack of transparency surrounding the border crisis and the Secretary’s failure to answer basic questions in testimony before the Committee last week. The American people deserve answers about the extent of this crisis and the Administration’s plans to address it.

“Due to recent escalating developments, the lack of answers to our questions about the operating picture at the border, and clear changes in policy, we request you appear before the Committee for a Member briefing no later than Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. to provide a setting where you can answer our questions from last week and answer to the developments over this weekend,” wrote Katko and Higgins.

Among the concerning changes, media reports indicate that DHS is now giving Border Patrol prosecutorial discretion to release migrants without entering them in removal proceedings. In addition, media is reporting that DHS is considering flying migrants to the northern border for processing.

“This is a matter of national security and it is a matter of national sovereignty,” continued Katko and Higgins. “We cannot afford further degradation of our border security under this Administration. We need answers as soon as possible.”

Read the full letter here.

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