Full Breakdown
Mayorkas Criticizes Timing of Biden’s Late-Term Immigration Crackdown
5/13/2026, 2:58:22 AM
Late-Term Crackdown and Mayorkas’s Regret
Former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told Politico’s Alex Burns that the Biden administration’s immigration-enforcement executive order, issued only in the final year of the 46th president’s term, was “too little, too late.” He linked the timing to a cumulative influx of more than 8 million migrants that entered the United States by that point.
Background, Figures, and Timeline
Mayorkas testified repeatedly before Congress that illegal crossings were not a pressing issue and that the border was “secure,” a claim that contributed to his impeachment in February 2024. Democrats had urged tighter security months earlier, labeling the delayed response “political malpractice.” The executive action was taken in June 2024, while former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign emphasized a border-security pledge. The order aimed to shut down the border and crack down on illegal crossings, a move first reported by The Post. Key participants include Mayorkas, President Joe Biden, President Donald Trump, Democratic members of Congress, and journalist Alex Burns.
Official Statements
Mayorkas said a “low bar” for credible-fear claims allowed many migrants to enter during the Biden years and declined to speculate on whether the delayed order helped Trump’s electoral prospects, noting personal fatigue instead. He reiterated his earlier claim of a secure border when testifying to a House committee, stating that with existing authorities and funding the border was as secure as it could be. Democrats continued to press for earlier enforcement, while the Trump campaign cited the administration’s perceived inaction as justification for its border-security platform.
Criticism and Opposition
Democratic lawmakers described the June 2024 executive order as “political malpractice,” arguing that earlier action could have reduced the migrant influx. Trump’s campaign framed the delay as evidence of a broken immigration system, reinforcing its pledge to secure the border. Critics also referenced former Secretary Xavier Becerra’s handling of migrant-child records, though Mayorkas refrained from assigning blame.
Verbatim Quotes
- “but I will tell you that I would be far more better rested and less punched.” — Alejandro Mayorkas, former DHS Secretary
- “I was very pleased that in June of 2024, we took executive action that, I thought, made reforms that were sensible and that proved successful,” — Alejandro Mayorkas
- “With the authorities and the funding that we have, it is as secure as it can be,” — Alejandro Mayorkas (House committee testimony)
- “I know of the press reports, but I don’t know of the data,” — Alejandro Mayorkas
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Mayorkas’s earlier congressional testimony asserted a secure border, yet his later remarks acknowledge that a permissive “low bar” facilitated large migrant entries. No data were provided to assess the June 2024 executive action’s effectiveness, and Mayorkas declined to evaluate the performance of other cabinet secretaries, leaving a factual gap.
