Members of Congress Blamed for Dysfunctional Immigration System
If governing amid the chaos of migrants crossing the southern border is an impeachable offense (it’s not), then it’s members of Congress, mostly Republicans, who deserve condemnation — not a Cabinet secretary.
They, along with since-departed lawmakers of recent decades, are the ones responsible for our dysfunctional immigration system: Congress has consistently failed to provide immigration officials with enough funding and legal power to stem, vet, and process in an orderly way the increasing number of people yearning for opportunity in the United States. The border problem is not new, it’s just worse than ever.
House Republicans Playing Politics
Instead of taking some responsibility and addressing the problem, House Republicans are flaying a scapegoat — Mayorkas — for their own election-year advantage and that of their lord and master, likely Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The full House is expected to vote next week on the two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas that the Homeland Security Committee approved along party lines late Tuesday.
If enough so-called moderate Republicans go along, the resolution would go to the Democratic-controlled Senate, which will no doubt acquit Mayorkas because the charges of dereliction of duty are bogus. Even so, House Republicans would have an election-year dog-and-pony show about an issue that’s become a top concern for voters, in particular their party’s MAGA base.
Impeaching Mayorkas as a Diversion
The politics of impeaching a Cabinet secretary instead of focusing on President Biden is a diversion tactic. Republicans know they don’t have the goods or the votes to impeach the president, so they target Mayorkas instead. This move allows them to create a spectacle and cater to their party’s base.
Republicans’ Hypocrisy on Border Security
What’s doubly damning is they’re impeaching Mayorkas even as they’re allied with Trump to kill a bipartisan bill that the Cabinet secretary negotiated with senators of both parties, and that would be the toughest immigration law in memory, with added billions for just what the Republicans say they want: more border security.
Not since President Reagan signed a landmark 1986 immigration act has Congress been able to agree on policies to better control the migration waves, despite presidents of both parties trying their darndest to get new laws signed and more funds approved. Republicans doomed compromises under Presidents George W. Bush and Obama.
Experts and Former Officials Speak Out
Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff pointed out that Mayorkas is being unfairly targeted and that Republicans have failed to provide evidence that meets the bar for impeachment. Other conservative lawyers, including Jonathan Turley, have echoed this sentiment.
The Need for Legislative Action
Instead of wasting time on impeachment, Republicans should focus on legislating and solving the problems at the border. Mayorkas is carrying out President Biden’s policies, and until the law is changed, the same results will persist.
It’s time for Congress to step up, adequately fund border security, and work towards comprehensive immigration reform.