(PatriotPostNews.com) – A highly anticipated House vote on whether to impeach the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, has divided Democrats and Republicans amid ongoing tension about immigration.
Mayorkas has been criticized by many GOP politicians and backed by Democrats for his actions related to border security and immigration at the southern border between America and Mexico.
The impeachment effort—which failed in the House of Representatives with a vote of 214 in favor and 216 against—was brought on by Republicans, who hold a majority in the House by three votes. The clinching vote was cast by Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green, who showed up to the chamber still dressed in the clothes he had worn to the hospital for emergency surgery.
Two articles of impeachment were approved by the Homeland Security Committee in the House, including one that accuses Mayorkas of breaching public trust and another that claims he was guilty of “willful and systemic refusal” to adhere to laws about immigration.
Democrats, however, argued that the GOP’s claims were related to variations in policy and that their opposing party had failed to evidentially prove Mayorkas had acted in violation of federal law that amounted to misdemeanors and high crimes.
Republicans have blamed Mayorkas and his leadership for the immigration crisis at the southern border, where millions of migrants have crossed into the United States. The number of illegal immigrants reached a record high in December 2023.
The GOP argued that Mayorkas had broken the law by failing to detain an appropriate number of immigrants or instituting a parole program, which Republicans view as a method of bypassing Congress so otherwise unqualified migrants would be permitted to enter the United States. They further argue that Mayorkas has lied to Congress by insinuating that the southern border is secure.
Democrats have consistently refuted such claims, saying up until the vote that Republicans have moved to impeach Mayorkas without proper evidence instead of seeking a compromise between the parties.
Had Mayorkas been impeached, it would have been the second time in US history that a cabinet member had been removed. The first was the Secretary of War under President Ulysses Grant, William Belknap, who was impeached for money laundering.
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