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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas distanced himself from the border crisis Sunday, saying the countrys immigration system has been broken "since the 90s" and its ultimately up to Congress to fix it.

During an appearance on CBS News "Face the Nation," Mayorkas dismissed a bipartisan bill introduced last week by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., that would allow the U.S. to expel migrants for two years after Title 42 ends this week.

"Theres a very important message, not to communicate only to Sen. Sinema but to all senators and all members of the House of Representatives: We need immigration reform," he said. "Everything that the Department of Homeland Security is doing, everything that our partners across the federal government are doing is within a broken immigration system. The president passed to Congress a proposal to fix our broken immigration system on the first day in office."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies during a Senate hearing on April 18, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

CBS anchor Margaret Brennan pushed back, saying it doesnt appear the Democrats have made the border a priority.

TILLIS, SINEMA TO INTRODUCE BILL TO ALLOW MIGRANT EXPULSIONS TO CONTINUE AFTER TITLE 42 ENDS

"But that's like a to-do list," she said. "That's different than putting your shoulder behind it, picking up the phone and saying, Excuse me, Democrats control the Senate, let's be out front on immigration."

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"Margaret,"Mayorkas responded, "we have been pushing for immigration legislation since day one. And by the way, it didn't start on day one this is a decades-long problem. The immigration system hasn't been fixed since the '90s."

"Absolutely, and it has only seemingly gotten worse with the set of circumstances we're in now," Brennan retorted.

Mayorkas argued that the bill bySens. Sinema and Tillis doesnt fix the problem.

"What I would say to the senators, Sens. Tillis and Sinema, what we need is our system fixed, not this Band-Aid solution," he said.

Story continues

A Border Patrol agent leads migrants to a temporary processing tent on May 4, 2023, in Brownsville, Texas.

Title 42, a public health order that was implemented in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will expire on Thursday, sparking concerns that the U.S. is unprepared for a renewed surge in illegal immigration.

"The border is not open," Mayorkas said Friday in Brownsville, Texas, alongside Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz. "It has not been open, and it will not be open subsequent to May 11. And the smugglers who exploit vulnerable migrants are spreading misinformation. They are spreading false information, lies in a way to lure vulnerable people to the southern border and those individuals will only be returned."

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Mayorkas deflects blame on border crisis, says its been an issue since the 90s - Yahoo News

Seeking a better life, these brave souls built this great "nation of immigrants". On May 11th, Title 42 will expire. It had allowed asylum-seekers to be rejected without a hearing. To be able to seek asylum in the U.S., you must fear that you will be harmed by someone in your country due to your race, religion, political beliefs, nationality, or belonging to a specific social group (sexual orientation, family member of dissident groups, etc).

There have been over 6.3 million migrants crossing the border illegally. Between February and March 2023, there was a 22.9% increase in the number of migrants. Since January 2023, Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz says that there have been 385,000 known "Gotaways" that escaped into the U.S. The actual number may actually be 20% higher.

Fentanyl and other illegal drugs enter daily. Most Fentanyl comes from Chinese labs through Canada and Mexico. However some enter the U.S. directly from China and India on commercial airlines. Recently in March 2023, 2,848 pounds of Fentanyl and 13,638 pounds of methamphetamine were seized at the southern border. Depending on opioid tolerance of a drug user, it takes only 700-2000 mcg to cause death. Opioid overdose deaths average 1,500 weekly.

The border crisis also affects our wallets . As of January 2023, the net cost of illegal immigration was $150.7 billion. Some will argue that the migrants do pay taxes which are about $32 billion. However the gross negative economic impact of this illegal immigration was $182 billion. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) arrived at the $150.7 billion by subtracting the difference.

Get more from the Citrus County Chronicle

We are a nation in change. There is talk again about raising the debt ceiling. But after two years and $10 trillion of unbridled spending, which led to record inflation, soaring interest rates, and an economic recession, it would be irresponsible to raise the debt limit without common sense spending controls. We need to address this border crisis. The $1.7 billion omnibus that was rushed to pass at the end of last year was misguided. It included millions of dollars toward organizations that facilitate illegal immigration plus another $10 million for legal assistance for detained migrants.

Our already-overpopulated nation cannot sustain more population growth. We are going headlong into possibly erasing America's sovereignty and destroying our economy. Our once-workable immigration system is being undermined and will eventually collapse.

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Our nation is changing | Letters to the Editor | chronicleonline.com - Citrus County Chronicle

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A prayer vigil was held in Downtown Pensacola Friday night, protesting a bill aimed at curbing immigration in Florida.

Supporters of the bill say it's designed to fight illegal immigration. But activists say it could keep undocumented pregnant women from getting healthcare, and workers from getting jobs.

WEAR

The Florida legislature has passed a sweeping new immigration reform bill.

A prayer vigil was held with faith leaders, community members, and local activist Grace Resendez McCaffery Friday night.

We know that its in the governors hands right now," McCaffrey, Latino Media Gulf Coast owner said. "Since we know he hasnt signed it at this moment, perhaps there is time to have some type of divine intervention to come up with a better solution.

WEAR News was asked not to show people's faces because of the fears many of them have.

"People who are on the asylum-seeking track, they dont necessarily have protective status until they get to a certain point in the court proceedings," McCaffrey said. "Theyre particularly vulnerable with this bill.

SB 1718 would require hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status. The data collected would track how much the state spends treating undocumented immigrants.

Pastor Luis Ramirez believes the bill could discourage families from visiting the doctor.

"It's concerning because you have children and families where they cannot afford to have healthcare," Ramirez said. "And they're going to be scared now if they feel like they have an emergency they don't know what to do."

Another provision is that companies with 25 or more employees sign up for E-verify, which would track a worker's immigration status to be approved for work.

The bill would make certain driver's licenses issued by other states to undocumented immigrants invalid in Florida.

Senator Doug Broxson supports the bill.

"Well, I voted for it. It was not my bill," Sen. Broxson said. "The governor is very passionate about it.

Sen. Broxson said the tougher restrictions are aimed at protecting migrants.

"Our people are saying, lets make sure people who come here are able to move into the system and be treated like Floridians," Sen. Broxson said. "People who are coming over, primarily from the Mexican border, are being abused and thats not right and we want to put a stop to it.

SB 1718 now heads to the governor's desk for a final signature.

If signed, it would go into effect July 1.

Originally posted here:
Prayer vigil held in Downtown Pensacola in protest of Florida immigration bill - WEAR

If its WEDNESDAY Federal Reserveis expectedto raise interest rates Authoritiesarrestman suspected of killing five neighbors with AR-15 rifle in Texas Donald Trumpmight skipfirst two GOP presidential debates, NBC News confirms Prominent election denierjumpsinto NV-SEN race And Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas,launchesTX-SEN bid to take on GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.

ButFIRST... Few episodes better explain how American politics has changed and how Americas political system has been unable to respond to challenges and crises than immigration.

It was 10 years ago, in April 2013, that the Gang of Eight Democrats and Republicansunveiledtheir comprehensive immigration reform legislation, which would go on to pass the Senate with68 votesbut never become law after the GOP-controlled House refused to consider the bill.

This week, in May 2023, welearnedthat a Democratic president is set to send more than 1,000 active-duty U.S. troops to the border ahead of an expected surge in migration.

And in between, weve witnessed two political parties moving further and further away from what was always the compromise more border enforcement, a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and a capacity to respond to future challenges (such as the asylum-seekers from Central America).

In the 2020 Democratic primaries, we saw that party move away from border enforcement.

More significantly, weve seen a Republican Party essentially close the door on a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and even what to do about the DREAMers.

(Remember thepossible dealof protections for DREAMers in exchange for money for Trumps border wall? Well, that fizzled.)

Add it all up, and our politics and political system are stuck.

We have more than two million cases in an immigration backlog that has been building year over year over year. What a powerful example of a completely broken immigration system. We have got to fix it. We need legislative reform, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said onMeet the Press last weekend.

That was the level ofvoter turnout for the 2022 midterms, per new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. It was the second highest in a midterm year since 2000, just behind the 2018 elections.

The Current Population Survey also found the highest voter registration rate since 2000, with 69% of the voting-age population registered to vote.

Nearly one-third of voters 32% cast mail ballots in the 2022 midterms, up from 23% who did so in 2018. And 47% cast ballots before Election Day, a 9-point jump from the 2018 elections.

The Washington Post also reports that the new census data founda nearly 10-point drop in Black voter turnoutcompared to 2018.

Other numbers you need to know today

1,500: The number of active-duty troops the Biden administrationplans to send to the borderahead of an expected migration surge.

800,000: The number of peoplewho could be forced to flee Sudandue to the conflict there, the U.N. said this week.

At least 10: The number of GOP public figureswho could still announcetheir campaigns for president.

$31 trillion: Thesize of the national debt, the Washington Post reports, as negotiations between Democrats and Republicans are set to begin over raising the debt ceiling.

4: The number of defendantsfound guilty in Chicagoin a trial over whether utility executives and lobbyists engaged in a years-long bribery scheme of then-Speaker of the Illinois House Mike Madigan (who also faces related charges).

12: The number of countsa man has been charged withfor allegedly setting off an explosive device in a Capitol building tunnel on Jan. 6.

13: The number of years a man who was arrested this week in connection with his actions at the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitolworked at the FBI.

3,000: The number ofplanned layoffs at Morgan Stanleyas big banks make cuts.

100: The number of peoplearrested in Europe on Wednesdayin raids against a notorious Italian organized crime group.

40%: The portion of eighth graderswho received below basic scoresin standardized U.S. History tests last year, the New York Times reports.

After an election cycle where Republicans who echoed former President Donald Trumps lies about the 2020 electionunderperformed in key racesaround the country, Nevada Republicans are going to be faced with the choice of whether to elevate one of those candidates again in 2024.

Nevada RepublicanJim Marchant is jumping into his states Senate race, he announced Tuesday, in the hopes of winning the right to face off against Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.

Marchant won his partys nomination for secretary of state last year, one of a handful of nominees for the post around the country who cast doubt on the results of the 2020 election. In Marchants case, hetold NBC News last yearthat Bidens 2020 victory was almost statistically impossible and that he wouldnt have certified the election.

Republicans fought last years top elections in Nevada to a split decision winning the governors race and losing the Senate race,both by razor-thin margins. (Marchant lost his race for secretary of state by a larger share, a bit more than 2% of the vote.)

Both Republican nominees for governor and Senate were endorsed by Trump in 2022. But while future Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo tried to (uncomfortably, at times) create some distance between him and Trump on the question of the 2020 election, former state Attorney General and Senate nominee Adam Laxalts role in helping tochallenge Trumps loss in Nevadabecame a central piece of the Democratic attack against him.

Marchants bid will yet again ask Republicans what kind of candidate they want to elevate in the hopes of winning back the Senate seat Rosen flipped in 2018, and with the balance of power in the Senate on a knifes edge.

In other campaign news

Debate? Thats debatable:Trump is considering skipping the first GOP primary debate, NBC News Vaughn Hillyard, Jonathan Allen and Olympia Sonnier report, as the Republican National Committee isreportedly putting out feelersabout whether media would carry a general election debate that isnt sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Trumps civil rape and defamation trial continues:A friend of the author accusing Trump of rape and defamation in a civil trialtestified Tuesdaythat she was told about the alleged attack minutes later.

Trump policy:As part of Trumps effort to releasepolicy-oriented videos, Trumps latest video detailshis plan for college education, saying its time to reclaim our once great educational institutions from the radical left, per Politico. His proposals include dismantling accrediting organizations, and removing diversity, equity and inclusion administrators.

Still a two-man race:A new CBS/YouGov poll echoes other recent surveys and finds Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (who is expected to jump in the race soon) leading the GOP primary field asthe only contenders with double-digit levels of support.

Jet setting:Politico delves into DeSantis recent travels, including his trip overseas, notingits not clear who paid for his flights, but DeSantis office says no taxpayer money was used for his travel.

Hes running:Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, announced Wednesday that he is running for Senate against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Hisannouncement videobegins with his experience during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol, saying he was ready to take on anyone who came through that door, while Cruz cheered on the mob and hid in a supply closet.Allred also adds, We dont have to be embarrassed by our senator. We can get a new one.

Maryland primary talk:One day after Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., announced his retirement, Montgomery County Councilman Will Jawando, a Democrat, announced he is jumping into the Senate race. Marylands other Democratic senator, Chris Van Hollen, declined to say if hell take sides in the primary, telling NBC News Scott Wong, Right now Im focused on thankingSen. Cardin for his great service. Therell be plenty of time to talk about a primary.

Still not interested:Former Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan told NewsNation hes getting a lot of calls and encouragement to run for Senate (including from his wife), buthe still isnt interested.

Kind of interested:Former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin said Mondayhe will keep an eye on the New York Senate race,saying during a visit to the state Capitol on Monday,If we did run, it would be an extremely competitive race, per Politico.

Senate script:Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who is running for Senate and represents Hollywood in Congress, on Tuesdayvoiced support for the Hollywood writers strike, as did his primary Senate rivals, Reps.Katie PorterandBarbara Lee.

Tar Heel Republicans put abortion rights into spotlight:Republican state lawmakers in North Carolina are rolling out anew 12-week abortion banwith varying exceptions for rape, incest, some fetal abnormalities and the life of the mother. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper (who cannot seek re-election due to term limits)blasted the proposal in a statement, but the GOP has a veto-proof majority in the General Assembly.

A number of Senate Republicans arepushing back on the notionthat the two parties could reach a deal to temporarily deal with the debt limit, after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the deadline to prevent a default is June 1.

A Tennessee district attorney announced Wednesday thatno charges would be filedagainst an officer who was involved in the fatal traffic stop of Tyre Nichols in Memphis in January.

At a hearing about judicial ethics on Tuesday, Senate Judiciary Committee memberssparred over the need for reform.

Chuck Todd is moderator of "Meet The Press" and NBC News' political director.

Mark Murray is a senior political editor at NBC News.

Ben Kamisar is a deputy political editor in NBC's Political Unit.

Bridget Bowman is a deputy editor for NBC's Political Unit.

Alexandra Marquez is a researcher for the political unit.

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In 10 years, Democrats and Republicans have moved further apart on immigration - NBC News

Heads turned, cameras rolled and eyes were drawn as people marched down Fair Avenue toward Nob Hill Boulevard in Yakima on Monday. They waved flags and held signs that said immigrants contribute to the economy and s se puede.

El pueblo, unido, jams ser venido, marchers shouted. The people, united, will never be defeated.

More than 200 community members and activists came from across the Yakima Valley for May Day events in support of immigration reform and greater recognition for local workers. It was the first in-person May Day event since 2019.

It means a lot to be able to unite with folks across the Valley for immigration reform and labor law, said Dulce Gutierrez.

Gutierrez, a former city council member, served as the president of the Primero de Mayo Coalition, a group of volunteers and community organizations that have been working on the event since February. The march went along East Arlington Street, South Fair Avenue, East Nob Hill Boulevard and South First Street.

Cecilia Vizcaino, secretary for the organizing coalition, said it was valuable to bring back the event and the calls for immigration reform and amnesty for undocumented immigrants.

Im really happy that the community showed up. Our voices are heard when we come together, she said. Its an opportunity for change no human being is illegal.

Vizcaino said she is recipient of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The 2015 policy gives children that arrived in the United States without documentation work eligibility and some protection from deportation.

When growing up in Yakima, Vizcaino said, she did not always feel like she belonged due to the exclusion of undocumented students from certain resources. Events like May Day made her feel more human and less alone, she said.

We deserve citizenship because we are human beings, she said. Were here, were living and breathing.

Community organizations, including OneAmerica, the Latino Community Fund, the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), United Food and Commercial Worker 3000, Fair Work Center, La Casa Hogar, Nuestra Casa and Familias Unidas por la Justicia, attended or helped organize the celebration.

The CeAtl Tonalli dance group, Davis High Schools Mariachi Arcoris and singer Isarely Flores performed at the Henry Beauchamp Community Center, where local groups called for inclusion of undocumented immigrants in state health and unemployment insurance and offered information about their services.

The atmosphere was festive. Community members from Grandview to Ellensburg and as far away as the Skagit Valley enjoyed tamales and conversations in the community center.

Robert and Berta Ambriz live in Grandview. Robert is a farmworker who works in apple orchards and Berta is an in-home caregiver represented by the Service Employees International Union. The couple said they came to May Day to support more just laws for immigrants.

About a dozen workers at Windmill Farms in Sunnyside, who are working to unionize with United Farm Workers, came to the celebration. Margarita Martinez and Jose Martinez, who have been heavily involved with organizing, said they had come to build support for their efforts in Sunnyside and to advocate for better treatment of farmworkers in general.

Eva Chavez and Israel Gonzalez work with WAISN and led chants as marchers walked along Nob Hill and First Street.

All of us believe in the same mission. We deserve rights, we deserve dignity, it doesnt matter if you have papers or not, Chavez said.

After several years of virtual or socially distanced May Day celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic, many attendees were at the event for the first time. Others, like Yakima Valley College Professor Maria Cuevas, have been coming for years.

Cuevas teaches Chicano studies and has attended the event since 2006. She said she gives her students extra credit for volunteering and said its a good opportunity for hands-on learning about issues and advocacy in the community.

Students think that oppression happens elsewhere, she said. Oppression is still occurring. Exploitation is still occurring, especially for farmworkers."

Gutierrez and Audel Ramirez, an organizer for voting rights advocacy group OneAmerica, noted that the Henry Beauchamp Community Center was different than Miller Park, where May Day celebrations were held in past years. They hoped the new location and new route would increase visibility and accessibility.

David Morales worked with Gutierrez, Vizcaino and other event organizers as the coalitions treasurer. He said without citizenship, community members are denied the right to vote, access to the social safety net and fear using public resources or contacting law enforcement.

The event connected community members to resources and civic involvement, he added.

Its about restoring the connection organizations have to each other and different advocates have with each other, Morales said.

Editor's note: This story has been expanded with additional information.

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Yakima comes together to recognize workers and immigrants at May Day march - Yakima Herald-Republic