The Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has vehemently denied disinformation claiming that the Harris-Biden administration is seeking to attract migrants into the country to vote in the election. A recent CBS News/YouGov poll found that nearly two-thirds of voters who intend to back former President Donald Trump believe that the administration is deliberately allowing migrants to cross the US-Mexico border, with 74% of that group believing it is so they can vote. Mayorkas labeled the assertions as “preposterous” and called for condemnation of such rhetoric from all parties, claiming that it undermines confidence in the integrity of the election system.
Claims regarding the administration’s intentions have been circulating on social media, perpetuated by figures such as Elon Musk who suggested that Democrats are expediting the citizenship process for illegal immigrants to win elections. In response to these claims, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would have required voters to show proof of citizenship to cast their ballots. Despite the failed attempt to pass the legislation, Republicans continue to raise concerns about the potential for noncitizens to vote, with Mayorkas calling for accurate information to be communicated to the voting public.
Despite the accusations, Mayorkas highlighted that border crossings are actually at a low point under the Harris-Biden administration compared to the first three years. Data from US Customs and Border Patrol shows that there have been over 8 million encounters at the US-Mexico border during President Biden’s tenure. Vice President Kamala Harris has defended her border track record by pointing to a Senate border security bill that failed earlier this year, blaming former President Donald Trump for thwarting the legislation. Republicans counter by suggesting that Biden could address the border situation through executive action, a move that was eventually taken to limit asylum access for illegal immigrants.
Mayorkas refuted the idea that Biden’s executive actions negated the need for Congressional involvement, emphasizing that the administration required additional funding and resources to address the border challenges effectively. He urged Congress to provide more resources for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address the needs of individuals impacted by hurricanes. House Speaker Mike Johnson assured that Congress would act to provide the necessary relief once specific proposals were submitted by the affected states. He explained that the process would take time, particularly given the widespread impact of the storms on numerous individuals.
