Shenango Valley News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) has joined the majority of the House of Representatives in voting to impeach U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Rep. Kelly expressed his concerns about the failure to secure the border and the increasing number of illegal crossings during Mayorkas' tenure.

"Over the last three years, Secretary Mayorkas’ failure to secure the border has turned every state into a border state," said Rep. Mike Kelly. "More than 8 million people have been caught by Border Patrol at the Southern border with nearly 2 million more known as 'gotaways.' And those are just the people we know about. Meanwhile, 85% of terror suspects caught at ports of entry in 2023 came through the Northern border, not the Southern border."

Rep. Kelly highlighted the alarming increase in illegal migrant apprehensions after they crossed into the United States from Canada. "In 2023, we saw a 241% increase of illegal migrant apprehensions after they crossed into the United States from Canada. Due to the flood of illegal crossings at the Southern border under Secretary Mayorkas’ failed leadership, they are finding it to be quicker and easier to fly into Canada and cross into the United States through our wide-open Northern border," he said.

The congressman emphasized that border laws are already in place but criticized the Biden administration, including Secretary Mayorkas, for failing to enforce them. "We have border laws in place. Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden administration at large have failed to enforce them. The reality is that all of our borders remain unprotected and overexposed under the Biden-Mayorkas border crisis."

In addition to the impeachment vote, Speaker Johnson and House leadership have proposed eight executive authorities that the Biden administration can enforce immediately to address border security. These measures aim to enhance border protection and ensure the enforcement of existing laws.

Rep. Kelly has been actively involved in addressing border security issues. He co-founded and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Northern Border Security Caucus. In October, he introduced a resolution demanding a plan to secure both the Northern and Southern borders. This resolution came in response to a surge of terror watchlist suspects illegally entering the U.S. through the Northern border with Canada.

Furthermore, Rep. Kelly and House Republicans passed the "Secure The Border Act" in 2023. This legislation aims to bolster the Border Patrol, eliminate the misuse of executive immigration authority, and strengthen the asylum process.

Rep. Kelly's commitment to border security is rooted in his firsthand experience. In 2021, he visited the Southern border, where he witnessed the surge of illegal immigration and met with Border Patrol agents.

Rep. Mike Kelly's decision to support the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reflects his concerns about the failure to secure the border and enforce existing immigration laws. As the country continues to grapple with border security challenges, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed moving forward.