In a recent interaction, CNN's Phil Mattingly questioned the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, regarding his attempt to shift the responsibility of addressing the ongoing migrant crisis onto Congress.
The Secretary's comments were in response to a video featuring Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams. In the video, Adams warns that the city could face destruction if the federal government fails to curb the continuous influx of illegal immigrants.
Mayorkas stated, "We're dealing with a broken immigration system, a fact about which everyone agrees. It is one of the rare things about which there's unanimity of views. And we need Congress to act, number one. Number two, within that broken immigration system we are challenged by unprecedented level of displacement in the western hemisphere of historic proportions. We have responded with a model approach that has proven to work, which is to build lawful pathways for individuals to arrive in a safe and orderly way and to deliver consequences for those who dont meet them.
Mattingly then questioned Mayorkas about the possibility of expanding temporary protected status, particularly for Venezuelans and Nicaraguans. This question was prompted by calls from state and local leaders across various states and localities.
Mayorkas responded, "Temporary Protected Status has certain criteria that are set forth in the law. And we always evaluate the country conditions, which is what it is about. Is it safe for people who are present in the United States to return to their countries of origin? If it is not, because of the conditions there, because of war, because of extreme weather, disasters, et cetera, then we make a decision. We evaluate the conditions in the country on an ongoing basis. We have no decision today.
When Mattingly mentioned that 20 Democratic senators, including New York senator and majority leader Chuck Schumer, had requested the same thing, Mayorkas replied, I dont disagree with the fundamental point that we have to provide humanitarian relief to those who are in need. We want additional funding from Congress to that end. So with the fundamental value proposition, I agree wholeheartedly. What we will do is apply and enforce the laws that Congress has passed. And temporary protected status is something that is set forth in statute. And we will apply it as the statute envisions.
Mattingly further pressed Mayorkas on his authority to make the application if the finding is there. Mayorkas confirmed, Yes, it is, it is a matter that the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security addressed together in consultation with one another. He added that asylum seekers cant get a work application and called on Congress to fix the broken system.
New York City is expected to spend approximately $12 billion over the next three years to address the migrant crisis. The city has already seen an influx of over 100,000 migrants. The Biden administration has blamed both Adams and the governor for the crisis, and instead sent a letter outlining methods to address the crisis after both leaders requested additional federal aid.
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