House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) on Tuesday told Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to come prepared with data about the border on Wednesday after the Department of Homeland Security failed to provide key information earlier this week.
Jordan reminded the secretary that he failed to answer important questions at a hearing on the border crisis last year and encouraged him to provide data the committee had requested by Monday. Since that deadline was not met, Jordan said he expects Mayorkas to know the answers at Wednesday's hearing.
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"You were unable to provide specific data or information and, to this date, you still have not provided substantive responses to some Members’ questions from that hearing," the letter said. "We hope that you will be prepared with specific data and information during your appearance before the Committee this year."
Jordan requested Mayorkas provide information at the hearing regarding the number of immigrants that have been encountered by border patrol along the border, including if they were released into the United States and those who have not been released and have remained in DHS detention since Jan. 20, 2021. Jordan also asked for the number of immigrants who have claimed a fear of persecution on their asylum request who have been removed or placed in removal proceedings, as well as those who have received credible fear determinations.
"We look forward to your upcoming testimony and the opportunity for the Committee to effectively pursue its oversight of the Department’s immigration-related authorities," Jordan wrote.
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The letter comes as Republicans in the House have cracked down on its scrutiny of the Biden administration, including scrutiny on Mayorkas and his handling of the crisis at the U.S. southern border with Mexico. Under Mayorkas's direction, the border saw record-high illegal crossings, which have reportedly decreased since the end of Title 42. Numbers from June released last week show 144,000 migrant encounters for the month.
As a result of the high border crossings, Republicans on the hill have accused Mayorkas of a "dereliction of duty," with some pushing for his impeachment. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) announced the launch of an investigation into Mayorkas's "dereliction of duty" last month.