Border Patrol Chief Says DHS Does Not Have Operational Control of the Border, Contradicting Mayorkas

The top U.S. Customs and Border Patrol official told Congress on March 15 that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not have operational control of the U.S.–Mexico border, contradicting an earlier claim by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Raul Ortiz from the Border Patrol made the remarks to the House Homeland Security Committee in McAllen Texas. He was speaking at the hearing because McAllen is located along the Rio Grande River’s southern tip.

Republicans have been focusing their attention on the border since taking control of the House. They held several hearings in border communities like McAllen. Last month, the House Judiciary Committee held a similar hearing in Yuma, Arizona, another town lying along the U.S.–Mexico border.

The United States has suffered unprecedented immigration problems due to President Joe Biden’s policies regarding immigration.

Republicans blame this situation on Biden’s decision to depose President Donald Trump. “Remain in Mexico” This policy was successful in reducing illegal immigration levels by requiring would-be asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until they were called for court. The court would then decide if an applicant meets the requirements for political asylum in the United States.

One top immigration official said that 90 percent had been denied by applicants under the Remain in Mexico Policy during the Republicans’ Yuma hearing.

At the March 15 hearing, Chairman Mark Green (Republican from Tennessee) asked Ortiz if the United States has operational control over the border.

“Does DHS have operational control of our entire border?” Green asked.

“No sir,” Ortiz replied.

U.S. law states that “operational control of the border” What does it mean? “the prevention of all unlawful entries into the United States, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics and other contraband.”

Green cited this definition before turning to an earlier exchange between Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in which Republicans were told that DHS Did Have operational control of the border.

Green viewed a video of the exchange and asked Ortiz if Mayorkas had lied. Ortiz responded that operational control wasn’t a good way to measure the United States. “effectiveness along the border.”

“About ten years ago, we used operational control as a measuring stick of our effectiveness along the southwest border. My new strategy is geared towards mission advantage,” Ortiz answered in ambiguity

Green pointed out the meaning of “operational control” As defined by U.S. law

“You heard the secretary, he said we have operational control,” Green said. “That’s the definition.”

Ortiz finally admitted that the United States has no operational control if it is defined as the total enforcement U.S. Immigration and Customs laws.

“Based upon the definition you have sir, up there, no,” Ortiz said.

“We don’t have operational control?” Green kept pushing.

“No sir,” Ortiz acknowledged.

‘A Crisis Situation’

Ortiz later told the panel that “the migration flow represents challenges and in some areas, a crisis situation.”

It was surprising that Biden’s administration had not used the word. “crisis” to describe the state of affairs along the U.S.–Mexico border.

In a statement to the Epoch Times, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.)—a prime proponent of impeaching Mayorkas, who oversees the enforcement of U.S. immigration and customs laws—again called for Mayorkas’ impeachment when questioned about his reaction to Ortiz’s comments.

“Secretary Mayorkas continues to lie to the American public and his own employees,” Biggs said. “He does not have operational control of the border—anyone who spends one single day at the southern border can attest to that.”

“I have filed impeachment articles against him twice and he deserves to be impeached,” Biggs further referred to two separate articles of impeachment he had submitted against Mayorkas in the last and current Congresses.

“Every day he remains in public office, America becomes less safe,” Biggs warn.