At A Senate Appropriations Hearing, Durbin Questions Secretary Mayorkas About Meaningful Immigration Reform

Statement

"Secretary Mayorkas, you said something in your opening statement that the majority of narcotics and fentanyl coming into the United States comes through ports of entry transported by U.S. citizens. Is that correct?"

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"Isn't it pretty clear that's where we should focus our efforts, at least our startup efforts to deal with this fentanyl crisis?"

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"We should be concerned about the other 10 percent [of fentanyl] that is coming across the border. What are we doing about that?"

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"The first item suggested by the Republicans if we are going to address immigration is a 900 mile wall between the United States and Mexico. Can you comment on the impact of such a wall? What it might cost and how long it takes to build?"

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"Let me close by saying I spent a large part of my Senate career on the issue of immigration. As Chair of the Judiciary Committee, it is in my jurisdiction and I am frustrated that we have been unable to initiate a true bipartisan effort to solve our immigration challenges and the crisis we face today. I was with a Gang of Eight, several members of this Committee as well, that produced a comprehensive immigration reform [bill], which passed the Senate and [was] never taken up by the Republican House. I am ready to sit down again and make that work. This notion [that] we have to do significant immigration reform in the next few weeks or we won't send money to assist the people in Ukraine, or causes that are important to our national security--I think it is mistaken… I do want to undertake [immigration reform] in a serious way. I'm sure you will join me in that effort if we do."

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