The House Homeland Security Committee is set to vote on an impeachment resolution targeting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on January 31. This move comes as authorities arrested migrants overnight at Shelby Park, a public park near the border in Eagle Pass, Texas. In an attempt to assert its authority in the ongoing dispute with the Biden administration, Texas has taken control of Shelby Park and deployed military personnel and equipment there.
Under the Operation Lone Star border initiative launched by Governor Abbott last year, Texas has been able to enforce state law for criminal trespass and arrest migrants in areas where land donors have granted them authority. However, it is worth noting that Border Patrol is not permitted to enforce federal immigration law in Shelby Park. This action by Texas underscores the state's decision to take matters into its own hands and prioritize the enforcement of state law before federal immigration laws.
So far, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has reported that they are only arresting single adult men and single adult women. In cases where migrant families or unaccompanied children are apprehended, they are handed over to Border Patrol for proper handling.
Meanwhile, attention is turning to the response from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which had issued a cease and desist letter to Texas. The deadline for compliance with DHS's demands expired recently, and it remains to be seen what action the federal agency will take next.
It is important to note that the images of large groups of migrants shown earlier were from December, illustrating the continued back-and-forth activity between Texas and the federal government. The situation along the border has remained highly dynamic, with ongoing tensions and disagreements between state and federal authorities.
The upcoming vote on the impeachment resolution against Secretary Mayorkas reflects the escalating conflict between the House Homeland Security Committee and the Department of Homeland Security. The outcome of this vote could have significant implications for the leadership and policies of the department moving forward.
As the situation develops, further updates will be provided on the actions taken by Texas and the response of the federal government, particularly the DHS. The dispute over immigration and border security continues to be a contentious issue, garnering national attention and shaping the broader debate surrounding immigration policy in the United States.
