FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2021
I look forward to working with Secretary Mayorkas to establish more humane immigration policies at our Southern Border
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán, Chairwoman of the Border Security, Facilitation and Operations Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the confirmation of DHS Secretary Mayorkas and President Biden’s executive orders on immigration:
“Congratulations to Alejandro Mayorkas on his confirmation to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He makes history as the first immigrant and first Latino to serve in this position. His personal and professional experience will be instrumental in guiding an agency that faces many challenges and has lacked leadership these last four years.
“As Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Border Security, I look forward to working with Secretary Mayorkas on border issues to keep our homeland safe while reversing atrocious policies put in place by the prior administration. It is key that we work to immediately reverse the inhumane treatment of immigrants at the Southern Border and reinstate and improve an asylum system that was effectively eviscerated.
“For example, the Remain in Mexico policy has created a refugee crisis on our border and attracted human traffickers and violent criminals to our doorstep. It has led to horrific circumstances for migrants trying to reach this country – including robbery, assault, kidnapping, and even death. While a review of the program was announced today, I plead with the Secretary and the Administration to move quickly to end it.
“I also look forward to working with Secretary Mayorkas to reunite the children cruelly separated from their parents at the border as a means to punish immigrants. It is a heartbreaking tragedy, a crime against humanity, and these families must be brought back together immediately.
“President Biden’s new task force is an important step to identify the true number of separated families and reunify the hundreds of children that have been taken from their families by the Trump Administration and still remain separated. This crisis will finally get the action it deserves.
“With the nomination of Secretary Mayorkas and the announcement of these new executive orders, President Biden has taken some critical first steps to make clear that creating a modern and just immigration system is a priority for his Administration. After the last four years, we need to work closely together to take concrete actions to reverse their damaging polices as quickly as possible.
“I look forward to working with the Secretary and the Administration to ensure a fair, just, and humane system is in place for all immigrants while also addressing the root causes of migration from Mexico and Central America. Congress must also pass legislation to complement these executive orders. Today is a good start, but much more needs to be done.”
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The Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations (BSFO) Subcommittee is responsible for the oversight and legislative activities regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The BSFO Subcommittee’s focus areas include DHS security operations along the northern and southern land borders and in the air and maritime domains; international aspects of border security, including cooperation with foreign partners to prevent the unlawful movement of people and illicit goods; DHS policies and operations that affect legitimate trade and travel, including staffing and resource allocations to air, land, and seaports; and activities carried out by ICE and USCIS with a nexus to border security, among others.
Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.