The Western States Sheriffs’ Association, which represents 17 states, is calling for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to be removed from his position due to his perceived mishandling of the current situation at the border.
According to The Daily Mail, this association issued a declaration of “no confidence” in Mayorkas.
The concerned sheriffs believe that there is a “complete and total breakdown” in attempts to halt illegal immigration.
“America’s sheriffs have watched in disbelief as the southern border has turned into an invisible line in the sand,” the association declared in a letter that its president, Sheriff Leo Dutton of Lewis and Clark County, Montana, and retired Sheriff James Pond, its executive director, both signed.
“Border patrol agents have been relegated to daycare supervisors at housing units and when they do attempt to act, they are scrutinized, placed on administrative leave, and investigated for political gain,” the letter added.
This statement of discontent with Mayorkas’ performance on handling border security came at a time when 1.7 million migrants were arrested at the southern border, according to data published by Customs and Border Protection in October.
The previous record for migrants arrested at the southern border was set in 2000 when 1.64 million arrests took place.
“Since his appointment we have seen his policies enacted that are personal and political ideologies that continue to dismantle the security of our country and the enforcement efforts of the hardworking federal officers assigned to an extremely difficult task,” the sheriffs association stated.
Drug trafficking was also a point of concern for the sheriffs.
“Massive amounts of drugs are moving across interstate highways and small rural roads to a town near you. American citizens continue to die from overdoses in this country at an alarming level each and every day,” the sheriffs wrote.
“Statistics now show that more people have died in the U.S. from fentanyl that from COVID in the past 20 months,” the sheriffs continued.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) supported this letter criticizing Mayorkas.
“Secretary Mayorkas must be held accountable for the crisis he has created at our border,” Biggs proclaimed.
”Instead of implementing policies to secure our border and protect Americans, he continues to push policies that restrict the enforcement of our laws and incentivize and reward illegal immigration,” the Arizona congressman added
Mayorkas defended himself in a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. He said he took pride in the job he was doing.
Regardless, Republicans continued to criticize him for his failure to prevent illegal border crossings.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asked Mayorkas whether the U.S. had more “control over the border now than we did under Trump?’
“I think that we have more control consistent with our values as a nation,” Mayorkas responded.
