DHS Nominee Alejandro Mayorkas Vows to Help Pass Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants
Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary nominee, vowed to help Congress pass an amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Mayorkas was on board with the incoming Biden administration's plans on amnesty.
He said he "would be privileged" to help passing amnesty for some 11 to 22 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S., reported Breitbart.
In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Mayorkas added that amnesty would be provided as long as the immigrants have been in the U.S. January 1, 2021.
"I would be privileged to work with Congress to pass immigration reform legislation that provides that path and provides a permanent solution to what is clearly a broken system," he said when asked about the plan.
Mayorkas was the deputy DHS secretary under the Obama administration and the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Related story: Biden to Prioritize Paving Path to Legal Status for Millions of Immigrants
If confirmed for the position of DHS secretary, he would be the first immigrant and first Latino to lead the department. He arrived in the U.S. with his family in the 1960s.
Previously, he came under fire from the GOP for intervening with Democrats in providing visas during his stint at the department, noted The Blaze.
GOP Senators Question Mayorkas's Immigration Plans
Senate Republicans were quick to ask pointed questions about Mayorkas during Tuesday's hearing, although none were directly opposing his nomination, said a report from USA Today.
The harshest jabs were related to the disputes in a visa program during his earlier stint and what seemed to be an "appearance of favoritism."
As always, combatting illegal immigration became a divisive topic for Republicans and Democrats, a topic that wasn't skipped by members of the committee's questioning.
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley was one of the GOP members who made it clear he opposed Mayorkas's nomination.
According to Breitbart, he said an amnesty would have negative jobs and wage impact to roughly 18 million jobless Americans and another six million who are unemployed.
He blocked a quick consideration of Mayorkas, citing his concerns on amnesty and border security, a report from Fox News said.
"Mr. Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border given President-elect Biden's promise to roll back major enforcement and security measures," Hawley said in a statement.
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After Mayorkas answered questions in his confirmation hearing, committee members moved to bypass full committee consideration but Hawley objected.
Mayorkas 'Proud to Implement' DACA Program
Under the Biden immigration plan unveiled on Wednesday, immigrants could have an eight-year path to citizenship, along with other measures.
Green cards for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs were also part of the plan.
"President-Elect Biden also has committed to reinstating the DACA program that I was proud to implement," he said, referring to his time as Citizenship and Immigration Services head.
He added that he was looking forward to executing the president-elect's plans on immigration if he gets confirmation as DHS head.
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