WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28) participated in a full Homeland Security Committee markup of articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for high crimes and misdemeanors. His refusal to enforce our laws has created a crisis of historic proportions in our southern border and jeopardized the security of our nation. The Committee approved the articles of impeachment which will now move to the full House floor for a vote. 

“Secretary Mayorkas’ reckless, open-border policies have purposefully enabled the worst border crisis in modern American history. His refusal to uphold our laws has endangered our border patrol agents, jeopardized the lives of migrants, enriched drug cartels and human smugglers, and compromised the security of our nation,” said Rep. Gimenez. “This severe and continued dereliction of duty is a blatant breach of his oath of office and demands accountability. After an extensive investigation into the causes, costs, and consequences of this crisis, it is clear Secretary Mayorkas is responsible and must be held accountable. This is why the Committee took on the solemn duty to markup articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas for high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Background: The Committee’s investigation unfolded over five phases and included multiple hearings, extensive interviews with border patrol chiefs, former DHS officials, and testimony from those directly impacted by our border crisis. Read the interim report for each phase below:

• Phase 1 Interim Report: DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ Dereliction of Duty
  

• Phase 2 Interim Report: DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Has Emboldened Cartels, Criminals, and America’s Enemies
  

• Phase 3 Interim Report: The Devastating Human Costs of the DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ Open-Borders Policies
  

• Phase 4 Interim Report: The Historic Dollar Costs of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ Open-Borders Policies
  

• Phase 5 Interim Report: The Massive Waste and Abuse Enabled by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
  

• Transcribed Interview Appendix: First-Hand Accounts of the Crisis from Border Patrol Sector Chiefs

Key Facts:

• Encounters at the southern border in FY2023 increased over 40% since FY2021, 4% compared to FY2022, and more than 100% compared to FY2019.
  

• There have been 7.5 million encounters nationwide and 6.2 million encounters at the Southwest border, in addition to 1.7 million known gotaways.
  

• In FY2023, 169 individuals whose names appear on the terrorist watchlist were stopped trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry. 18 were apprehended in September alone.
  

• In FY2023, CBP has arrested 35,433 aliens with criminal convictions or outstanding warrants nationwide, including 598 known gang members, 178 of those being MS-13 members.
  

• In FY2023, CBP, including Air and Marine Operations, seized 27,293 pounds of fentanyl, coming across the Southwest border—enough to kill more than 6 billion people.

To watch Rep. Gimenez's testimony, CLICK HERE. 

The markup was live streamed on YouTube and the Committee’s website.