Mayorkas subpoenaed by Jordan for documents on Texas migrant surge and razor wire cutting.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan has issued a subpoena to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for documents related to DHS' response to the surge of migrants in Eagle Pass, Texas, in September, accusing the agency of hindering the committee's investigation.

The Republicans on the committee repeatedly requested documents regarding the surge of Venezuelan nationals into Eagle Pass on September 20, which resulted in the closure of two bridges as CBP struggled to manage the situation.

The administration's handling of the crisis has been criticized by lawmakers.

Jordan stated that while thousands of illegal aliens flooded into Eagle Pass, causing lawful commerce to shut down across the bridges, the Biden Administration's DHS cut and removed concertina wire and fencing installed as a deterrent by the state of Texas, aiding the aliens in crossing illegally.

In his cover letter to the subpoena, Jordan stated that despite numerous attempts to obtain the documents, DHS eventually offered an in-person briefing. However, DHS later revealed that a briefing given to a congressional delegation of over 60 lawmakers in Eagle Pass the same week had already provided the lawmakers with the latest operational updates. Furthermore, Jordan mentioned additional briefings, including biweekly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) briefings.

The committee stated that the unrelated briefings cited by DHS do not meet its requirements. Jordan also rejected the notion that some aspects were withheld due to ongoing legal action with Texas.

"DHS has stated that the Committee's requests are too broad and unclear, despite the Committee's efforts to collaborate with DHS and narrow down the scope of its requests. Despite the Committee's initial request three months ago, DHS has not responded to the Committee's letters from November 6 and December 8. It was only after the letters were sent that DHS began to address the substance of the requests."

The Biden Administration's prioritization of illegal aliens is evident in the suspension of trade and travel, which negatively impacts Americans.

"The events in Eagle Pass demonstrate the broader consequences of the Biden Administration's open-borders policies: advantages for illegal immigrants and risks to American communities."

The subpoena seeks information by March 19 regarding the transportation of illegal immigrants into the U.S., the closure of bridges, policy decisions, the removal of razor wire, related intelligence, and the number and percentage of migrants encountered at the border.

The DHS official informed Planet Chronicle Digital that certain information, such as details on the concertina wire and a related parole program, is subject to litigation and therefore cannot be disclosed. However, the official stated that the DHS has provided documents that are not subject to these restrictions. The official also highlighted the steps taken by the DHS to be responsive, including briefings on Eagle Pass, the congressional delegation, and the production of materials and data at the sector level. Furthermore, the DHS has provided over 75 witnesses in more than 50 hearings, 20 personnel participating in transcribed interviews, and more than 20,000 pages of documents in response to lawmakers' letters.

"The DHS spokesperson stated that the subpoena is a media stunt and that the department has already provided information to the committee. The department will continue to provide any additional materials as they become available, in accordance with longstanding precedent and ongoing litigation."

"DHS will continue to collaborate with Congressional oversight while remaining committed to safeguarding the nation from terrorism, securing borders, responding to natural disasters, and protecting against cyber threats."

Hours before President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas visit the border in Brownsville, Texas, a subpoena arrives. Biden is expected to renew his calls for Republicans to pass a bipartisan Senate border bill.

The President will receive a briefing on border security operations and an operational briefing from CBP, ICE, and USCIS during his trip. Afterwards, he will deliver remarks to emphasize the need for Congressional Republicans to prioritize border security and pass the bipartisan agreement.