Republicans to Hold Immigration Hearings in Arizona Amid Declining Migrant Apprehensions

The Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, is leading a trip to the US southern border with several members of his party. McCarthy will be heading to the Tucson sector with four Republican freshmen. Their intention is to showcase a new push for border security legislation. The number of migrants apprehended at the border was down sharply in January. Illegal crossings are down 40% from December, which was President Biden’s first full month in office. And the administration says this is evidence that its new enforcement measures are working.

Democrats touting declining numbers at border

These measures include more rapid expulsions of migrants, as well as a new legal pathway for some migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The number of migrants from those countries who are crossing illegally is down very sharply. The administration says more than 90%. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, is currently being targeted by Republicans. They allege that the administration is inviting migrants to cross the border illegally and that the border is open. They are talking about trying to impeach Mayorkas, which is an extraordinary step, but Mayorkas rejects that allegation. He says these are just basic policy differences, not impeachable offenses.

Democrats argue that these are just normal policy disagreements that are being dressed up as impeachable offenses. Democrats say they are preparing for the attacks Republicans are likely to make during visits to the border, such as McCarthy’s visit this week and the judiciary hearing next week. In the meantime, while all of this is happening, and the administration faces criticism, Republicans do not have any immigration reform legislation lined up. The Biden administration has not visited the border much, and there are talks of a possible impeachment of Mayorkas.