Alejandro Mayorkas (2021- ) Photo: US Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas was born on November 24, 1959, in Havana, Cuba. He served nearly two and a half years as the United States Attorney for the Central District of California during the administrations of President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He has led a distinguished 30-year career as a law enforcement official and a nationally-recognized lawyer in the private sector. Mayorkas hasnt even been present to see in reality what the gaps are and he needs to become better informed, said Alvarez, who lives in the town of San Luis, just southwest of Yuma. [32], In 2015, a Department of Homeland Security inspector general (DHS IG) report criticized Mayorkas' oversight of the EB-5 investor visa program, which offered lawful permanent resident status (green cards) to foreign investors who invested $500,000 into businesses that created jobs in the U.S.[33] The program's popularity greatly increased under Mayorkas's tenure. Thanks for contacting us. By U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa | 26 July, 2022 | Topics: Uncategorized. At one point, Lines said the latest fentanyl seizure statistics show an increasing share found between border stops. Upon its release, the image generated outrage. In 1998, Sen. Dianne Feinstein recommended Mr. Mayorkas to be the United States Attorney for the Central District of California. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an Under Secretary position within the Department of Homeland Security. [10] On February 2, 2021, Mayorkas was confirmed by the Senate on a 5643 vote, with significant Senate Republican opposition. [4] On May 20, 2009, the nomination was received by the Senate; on August 7, 2009, the nomination was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote. For their own health and safety, individuals should not believe smugglers or others claiming the border is now open. Puede encontrar ms detalles sobre los criterios de elegibilidad para presentar una solicitud inicial de TPS y solicitar un EAD en la notificacin del Registro Federal (FRN). A political refugee born in Havana, Cuba, Mayorkas is the first Latino and immigrant confirmed to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. Debido a la pandemia, las restricciones de viaje y admisin en la frontera siguen vigentes. So far, fiscal 2023 is on pace to set another record, with more than 762,000 Southwest border apprehensions recorded from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31 up 18.3%from the same period one year prior. According to Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA), a former law enforcement officer, Mayorkas committed a number of crimes because the southern border is open, which results in American deaths. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. org OnTheIssues reports on issues, and has no contacts with campaigns except as linked above. Republicans condemned Mayorkas upon the emails release. A lock We were created 20 years ago in the largest restructuring of the federal government since World War II. There are no officials for you to contact on Email. After violating their sworn oath to uphold the Constitution and U.S. laws, Biden official and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has been impeached with new articles proposed in the House. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas to examine what resources and authorities DHS needs to fulfill its mission of protecting American communities and address significant challenges facing the nation. You have JavaScript disabled. We will implement the Presidents vision outlined in this Strategy, working with partners across sectors and around the globe to provide cybersecurity tools and resources, protect critical infrastructure, respond to and recover from cyber incidents, and pave the way for a more secure future.. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, when they meet all requirements. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A House Republican intent on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas laid out a list of charges that could be filed against the Cabinet official for his dereliction of duty managing the border. Bush nominated Ridge to be the first person to lead the department. The hearing focused on a wide array of border-linked issues, ranging from the burden of unreimbursed healthcare on a Yuma hospital, damage to local crops, benefits to migrants who are released pending asylum rulings and violence caused by drug cartels and their alleged mistreatment of migrants, which several legislators said amounted to slavery or indentured servitude.. The FRN also provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Venezuelan nationals and how individuals may apply for DED-related EADs, based on the January 19, 2021, presidential memorandum establishing DED for Venezuelan nationals for 18 months, through July 20, 2022. Chief of the United States Border Patrol under President Obama and acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection under President Trump Mark A. Morgan also condemned Mayorkas's actions. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), a reserve law enforcement officer, cited five Louisiana statutes that he believed the Senate-confirmed official ought to be tried on during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Tuesday about the record-high number of attempts to enter the United States unlawfully since President Joe Biden took office. He then returned to private practice in Washington, D.C. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Bidens migrant mess now costing NYC nearly $5M a day, Bidens laugh at fentanyl deaths for cheap political points exposes the real Joe, Rep. Claudia Tenney pitches amendment blocking non-citizens from voting, US border with Canada on pace to quadruple number of migrant encounters, similar to Trumps remain in Mexico program. Over two decades as a federal prosecutor, he has received numerous awards and commendations from federal and local law enforcement officials and agencies. To date so far? Official websites use .gov In a memo to DHS staff, Mayorkas urged those who could travelgiven the remaining restrictions of the coronavirus pandemicto help Customs and Border Protection as they face a surge in immigration., In his memo, he wrote, You have likely seen the news about the overwhelming numbers of migrants seeking access to this country along the Southwest Border. The panel declined to address the issue of whether the WPEA made the Rehabilitation Act generally applicable to security screeners because this issue was not raised in the district court. Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration . Mayorkas is fully vaccinated. Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, September 24, 2021 September 24, 2021 Press Briefings James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. The Biden administration recently has touted the amount of fentanyl seized along the border, noting record hauls of the potent synthetic opioid that can kill with doses the size of 10 grains of salt, with Biden himself saying this month at his annual State of the Union that border authorities had seized over 23,000 pounds of fentanyl in just the last several months.. Watch The Report Here . In October 2022, the Heritage Foundation released emails that showed hours before the press conference Mayorkas received emails that disproved the whipping claim, including from the photographer himself. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California Berkeley and received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. And during that meeting he committed to, after reviewing the border both from the ground and the air, to specifically address nine of the 11 Yuma gaps.'. He graduated from UC Berkeley in history with honors, subsequently earning his J.D. During the [] Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has said that since the program's implementation in early January, there has been a 90% decrease of migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela . [28][29], In September 2001, Mayorkas joined O'Melveny & Myers as a litigation partner. Secretary Mayorkas lied to Congress when he said the border was secure. October 19, 2021. Please check your inbox to confirm. Mayorkas, who turns 61 on November 24, was . The congressman hinted that he would like to see Mayorkas spend years in prison. Republicans, who have been critical of Mayorkas' handling of border security, have called for his impeachment as a way to remove him from office. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER, The DHS official said Congress ought to move on legislative solutions to outdated immigration policies "instead of pointing fingers and trying to score political points.". The Department of Homeland Security and its components play a leading role in strengthening cybersecurity resilience across the nation and investigating malicious cyber activity. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California Berkeley and received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. [15][17][18][19] Nicky Mayorkas studied economics at Dartmouth College. WASHINGTON Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on President Bidens National Cybersecurity Strategy: This National Cybersecurity Strategy establishes a clear vision for a secure cyberspace. It was compiled from 22 federal agencies or departments whose responsibilities ranged from Border Patrol agents on horseback to Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel inspecting damaged homes after hurricanes to Coast Guard personnel teaching boaters about marine safety. He served as the Vice-Chair of the Attorney Generals Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights and as a member of the Subcommittee on Ethics in Government. And Jim Jordan put Alejandro Mayorkas on notice over this unspeakable tragedy. Deputy Secretary, United States Department of Homeland Security, 2013-2016. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. News Desk [44][45], In October 2016, Mayorkas joined the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr in the firm's Washington office. Hundreds of people from across the department the third largest in the federal government with 260,000 employees gathered to mark the occasion, among them the heads of some of the various agencies that make up DHS, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency and the Secret Service. -- FROM HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE !!! If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact . Contact the Secretary Mail Delivery Instructions Freight Delivery Instructions Keywords Contact Point of Contact (POC) Secretary Last Updated: 10/04/2022 Was this page helpful? Nominated by President Obama in April 2009, he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in August 2009. Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) filed H.Res.8 "Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors" on January 9, 2023. Secretary Mayorkas is proud to advance the noble mission of this Department, support its extraordinary workforce, and serve the American people," said an official authorized to speak with the media in an email Tuesday afternoon. " He received numerous awards from federal law enforcement agencies, including from FBI Director Louis Freeh for the successful prosecution of Operation PolarCap. President Biden on Wednesday traveled to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to mark 20 years since the creation of the sprawling agency, as its leader, Alejandro Mayorkas, faces a barrage of ABC News In response to the report, he released a statement saying that he inherited an EB-5 program that was "badly broken" and sought to fix it. Most . A House Republican intent on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas laid out a list of charges that could be filed against the Cabinet official for . ", Higgins said Mayorkas should also face charges for violating Section 242 of Title 18 of U.S. law for having "deprived Americans of their very life.". [12] Mayorkas is the first refugee and first person born in Latin America to lead the department. Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Mayorkas is the first Latino and immigrant confirmed to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. Looking for U.S. government information and services? Weve followed up multiple times as well as Yuma sector of Border Patrol staff and with undersecretaries, and we were told time and time again that they were issuing contracts, that we would have it no later than June of last year, then no later than September, then no later than November. Nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the United States Senate, he became the youngest U.S. Attorney to serve the nation at that time. He has led a distinguished 30-year career as a law enforcement official and a nationally-recognized lawyer in the private sector. 2:16-cv00878-RFB-DJA v. ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS,* OPINION Defendant-Appellee. This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Honduras. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed the U.S. has "effectively managed" the ongoing border crisis even as he appeared to pass blame for the surge in migration under the Biden. [33] The report concluded that "The juxtaposition of Mr. Mayorkas' communication with external stakeholders on specific matters outside the normal procedures, coupled with favorable action that deviated from the regulatory scheme designed to ensure fairness and evenhandedness in adjudicating benefits, created an appearance of favoritism and special access. Information regarding the alien's processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection . I was patient every time that I called and they continued to push this process out. [53], Testifying to the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations on April 27, 2022, Mayorkas confirmed that the Biden Administration will implement a "Disinformation Working Group" in the DHS with the intention to "develop guidelines, standards, [and] guardrails" to shape the department's longstanding effort to counter disinformation. ", DHS added that its personnel have been more active in maintaining border security, including by having "surged resources to the border, reduced the number of encounters between ports of entry, disrupted more smuggling operations than ever before, and interdicted more drugs in the last two years than had been stopped in the five years prior.". Alejandro Mayorkas Email | Resignation. Now Alejandro Mayorkas is leading the charge to undo the Trump administration's restrictive policies, including the Remain in Mexico Policy. 4. During his tenure, Mr. Mayorkas enhanced USCIS efforts to promote an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensure the integrity of the immigration system. [22], Mayorkas was also involved in the Department's counterterrorism and anti-cybercrime efforts, as well as its public-private partnerships,[42] and efforts to fight antisemitism. Mayorkas received his bachelors degree with distinction from the University of California at Berkeley and a law degree from Loyola Law School. [37] In House Homeland Security Committee testimony in May 2015, Mayorkas expressed regret that his intervention created an impression of favoritism, but said his involvement was motivated by a desire to ensure that the applications were handled in accordance with the law: "I did not let errors go unchecked, but instead helped ensure that those cases were decided correctly, nothing more and nothing less. U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call Tel: (504) 2238-5114, Outside of Office Hours, contact: Tel: (504) 2238-5114, Outside of Honduras: Tel: +001 (504) 2238-5114. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. Contact her at egardey@spectator.org. Official websites use .gov Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, says Mayorkas is "a clear and present danger to the American people" and vows to use every tool at his disposal to hold . Learn more about quality higher-education opportunities in the U.S. that you will not find anywhere else in the world. [2], Mayorkas served as the coordinator of the Southern California Telemarketing Fraud Task Force, overseeing the coordination of federal, state, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies to most aggressively combat telemarketing fraud throughout the Central District of California. Please share this campaign with voters you know in the United States: Edit this message to tell users that can't take action because comments are closed how to contribute. [27], Mayorkas oversaw the prosecution of high-profile criminal cases, including the prosecution of the Mexican Mafia in death penalty proceedings, the prosecution of Buford O. Furrow Jr. for the murder of a federal postal worker and the hate-motivated shooting of children in a community center, the prosecution of Litton Industries for the payment of bribes abroad, and the takedown of the violent 18th Street gang using RICO statutes. (LockA locked padlock) Jonathan Lines, a member of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors, testified at a House Judiciary Committee field hearing, which was boycotted by panel Democrats, that Mayorkas falsely said hed address openings that are popular avenues for illegal immigration and drug smuggling. The goal, according to the report, was to create a single agency out of the current confusing patchwork of government agencies responsible for protecting the country against the threats it was facing then and get ready for problems it would face in the future. He also said that those who joined the volunteer force would be used in a non-law-enforcement capacity, with responsibilities including managing property, preparing meals, doing supply runs, prescription medicine runs, housekeeping, and assisting in control rooms. MS-13 GANG MURDER OF AUTISTIC MARYLAND WOMAN SPARKS INVESTIGATION INTO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. The current secretary of homeland security is Alejandro Mayorkas, since February 2, 2021. Individuals who apply for and receive TPS and who are also covered by DED do not need to apply for Employment Authorization Documentations under both programs. During his tenure at DHS, he led the development and implementation of DACA, negotiated cybersecurity and homeland security agreements with foreign governments, led the Departments response to Ebola and Zika, helped build and administer the Blue Campaign to combat human trafficking, and developed an emergency relief program for orphaned youth following the tragic January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. He came to the U.S. as an infant with his family, living in both Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Citizenship and Immigration Services within the 180-day registration period. But impeachment proponents have not yet been able to drum [] Esta nueva designacin de TPS para Venezuela permite que los nacionales venezolanos (y personas sin nacionalidad cuya ltima residencia habitual fue Venezuela) que residen actualmente en Estados Unidos presenten solicitudes iniciales para TPS, siempre que cumplan con los requisitos de elegibilidad. Every time it kept getting pushed out, Lines said. [5] As USCIS director, Mayorkas led United States citizenship through management efficiencies and fiscal responsibility, and safeguarding the integrity of the immigration system. [19], His mother, Anita (Gabor),[20] was a Romanian Jew whose family escaped the Holocaust and fled to Cuba in the 1940s[21][22][23] before leaving to the United States after the Cuban Revolution. Please email your member of the House of Representatives and your two senators and tell tell them to impeach and remove from office Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. "[33] The "fast-tracking" of approvals for individuals involved in the casino program was controversial because it was made over the objections of USCIS analysts "who were suspicious about the source of the funds". [36][14], The DHS inspector general's investigation into Mayorkas's intervention as USCIS director to expedite reviews for applicants for foreign investor visas in three cases caused controversy and delayed his confirmation proceedings. Mr. Mayorkas concluded his duties as Director of USCIS in 2013 to serve as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, a post for which he was also nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. President Biden halted all wall construction in January 2021, but the White House said in July that it would close gaps near Yuma. [4] When he was one year old, his parents fled with him and his sister to the United States in 1960 as refugees, following the Cuban Revolution. Tom Ridge. [2], From 1996 to 1998, Mayorkas served as Chief of the Office's General Crimes Section, overseeing the training and trial work of all new Assistant United States Attorneys in the Criminal Division. Biggs is the second Republican to file articles of impeachment against the embattled DHS secretary. . President Biden and I are committed to ensuring our Nation has a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system while continuing to balance all of the other critical DHS missions.. He has led a distinguished 30-year career as a law enforcement official and a nationally-recognized lawyer in the private sector. He owned and operated a steel wool factory on the outskirts of Havana.