DHS Secretary Mayorkas visits Tucson; Biden’s border measures show “results”

Tune in to our specially scheduled newscast tonight at 8 p.m. to hear Ryan’s full story.

TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson on Wednesday and presented new numbers suggesting President Biden’s new executive action is strengthening border security.

Mayorkas said the order had only been in effect for three weeks and “we are already seeing the results.”

“These measures change the calculus for those considering crossing our border,” he told a group of reporters.

According to Mayorkas, the number of arrests along the southern border has fallen by more than 40 percent in the last three weeks, and by more than 45 percent in the Tucson sector.

VIDEO OF THE FULL MEDIA BRIEFING:

Mayorkas pointed to further progress in border security during this time, including more than 100 repatriation flights to more than 20 countries and the deportation of more than 24,000 people from the United States.

Still, Mayorkas stressed that Congress must act to bring about lasting change. He laments the failure of the bipartisan bill that would have directed significant funds to the border.

“Congress has done nothing. Politics has interfered,” he told KGUN. “We have not had the resources we need for over a decade.”

But critics on both sides of the immigration issue say the new policy is either too harsh on asylum seekers or does too little and comes too late to solving the border crisis.

“The results we’ve seen over the last three weeks have people saying, ‘We could have seen this if this exact order had been given months ago.’ What’s your response to that?” Ryan Fish of KGUN 9 asked Mayorkas.

“We have taken executive actions that have made a difference,” he replied. “Last year’s numbers are down compared to previous years.”

CBP figures show that this is true, but only since this March.

Mayorkas also claims that the situation was different during the Title 42 COVID public health measure, which was in effect until last May.

But it is also a human matter.

“Are you convinced that this policy is fair to legitimate asylum seekers?” Fish asked Mayorkas.

“Yes, I do,” he said. “We abide by our international obligations. We abide by our values ​​when we provide the humanitarian assistance that we are so proud of. But we do so while also being strong in border security.”

WATCH RYAN FISH’S UNEDITED INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER MAYORKAS:

“Congress has failed to act”: Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas on measures at the border

Last week, KGUN 9’s Adam Klepp traveled to Nogales, Mexico, where families who claimed to be afraid were nevertheless deported from the United States and threatened with prison if they returned.

A general fear of violence or poverty is not a reason for asylum, says Mayorkas.

“For example, the fear that must be proven is the fear of persecution because of membership of a particular social group,” he said.

Although numbers released this week show that the border arrangement has been effective so far, even Mayorkas admits that it is not perfect.

“This executive action has already been challenged in court,” he told KGUN. “And the only comprehensive and permanent solution is legislation.”