While sitting next to the mother of a woman killed by an illegal migrant, the sheriff labeled the border wall as "racist."

An Arizona sheriff stated to House lawmakers on Wednesday that a wall proposal on the southern border contains a "racist component" unless a wall is constructed on the US-Canada border as well.

During a hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Sheriff David Hathaway of Santa Cruz County testified about the positive economic impact of immigrants, as inquired by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.

Hathaway stated that they actually reduce price inflation, and you can see help wanted signs all over the United States. If you add productivity to the economy, it makes the economy more productive.

Hathaway then addressed calls for a wall on the southern border with Mexico.

"The 'R' word is not something I like to use, but it's the elephant in the room," he said. "There's a xenophobic aspect to this. There was never a plan to build a wall on the northern border with Canada. There was never any intention to aggressively enforce Title 42 on the Canadian border."

The Trump-era policy known as Title 42 allowed U.S. officials to reject migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border due to health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hathaway stated that there is a racist element to the situation, which is often overlooked, but remains present in the background.

As he sat next to Rachel Morin's mother, the illegal immigrant from El Salvador was accused of killing her last year in Maryland.

Patty Morin informed lawmakers that an illegal immigrant who escaped from El Salvador was waiting for her on the trail. She was then grabbed, dragged through the woods, raped, strangled, and murdered.

"At the funeral home, I saw the most graphic thing I've ever seen - her body covered in bruises."

The Biden administration's border policies have been criticized by Republicans for allowing a high number of illegal migrants to enter the U.S.

Hathaway was grilled by Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., about his familiarity with the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

"You're a sheriff?" Gimenez inquired. "One of the most violent gangs from Venezuela is entering your town."

The congressman, who is an immigrant from Cuba, disagreed with Hathaway's claim that backing a border wall is racist.

Gimenez asked, "I believe that legal immigration should be allowed, but I disagree with illegal immigration. Am I a racist?" before the sheriff emphasized his border wall argument.