House Republicans Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Over Immigration
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border for February 14, 2024.
The future of Mayorkas’ impeachment in the Senate remains uncertain
House Republicans achieved a narrow victory by impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by a single vote, citing dissatisfaction with his management of U.S. immigration policies. This unprecedented action against a sitting Cabinet secretary reflects the intensifying partisan tensions in Congress, particularly around immigration issues. The future of the impeachment is at least uncertain in the Senate. Critics of the impeachment argue it's being used as a partisan weapon rather than a constitutional check on power. The decision has sparked debate over the politicization of impeachment and its implications for the future of bipartisan governance.
GOP-led House impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas — by one vote — over border management
Sharp Decline in Illegal Border Crossings: Arrests Halve in January from December Peak
The Associated Press reported that Arrests for illegal border crossings into the U.S. from Mexico halved in January from December's record highs, marking the third lowest month of arrests during President Joe Biden's tenure. This significant reduction is attributed to seasonal trends and increased enforcement efforts by the U.S. and its partners, notably Mexico's crackdown in late December. The decrease is a temporary relief for the Biden administration amidst escalating immigration debates in the presidential election year. Border Patrol arrests dropped to 124,220 in January, a 50% decrease from December's 249,735. Notably, arrests of Venezuelans plummeted by 91%. Despite these decreases, challenges persist, with a notable increase in migrants crossing the Darien Gap in January. Tucson, Arizona, remained the busiest sector, though arrests there and in other key areas like Del Rio and the Rio Grande Valley saw significant reductions.
A man sentenced for killing a Border Patrol officer appeals his sentence in Arizona
The Arizona Republic reported that Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes, one of the seven men convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Border Patrol officer Brian Terry in 2010, appealed his conviction, arguing the United States “illegally obtained and then submitted self-incriminating testimony from him. At the time, Terry's death captured public attention after it was discovered that at least one of the rifles used during the confrontation that ended his life was part of the contingent of weapons that entered Mexico as part of the controversial operation "Fast and Furious."