Mayorkas’ Impeachment: House Republicans Bar Ramirez, Democrats from Introducing Legislation for Border Security, Legal Pathway

Washington, DC -During yesterday’s mark-up to impeach the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), the Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, and other Democratic members were arbitrarily cut off by Republicans from offering amendments to the articles of impeachment. 

In the mark-up that lasted into the wee hours of the morning, Congresswoman Ramirez planned to introduce two amendments to address border security and provide legal pathways for migrants in the United States:

• H.R.6280 - Smart Border Protection Act, which authorizes additional funds for the Department of Homeland Security to invest in smart technologies at the border, additional personnel, and improve the quality of infrastructure at our ports of entry to ensure that our border communities are safe.
• H.R. 1511 - Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, which amends the existing Registry statute by moving the eligibility cutoff date so that an immigrant may qualify for lawful permanent resident status if they have

“Yesterday, for almost 15 hours, extreme Republicans in the Homeland Security Committee made a mockery of an important constitutional tool for accountability and turned it into a spectacle to do the bidding of their leader, Donald Trump. Shutting down dialogue and limiting Members’ ability to debate and amend legislation is an attack on democracy,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “The actions from the majority show that they are not interested in working on solutions. It also demonstrates how willing they are to make a mockery of our democratic processes if they don’t serve them politically.” 

Ramirez added: “I’ve been in Guatemala. I’ve seen how precious democracy is and how dangerous obstruction of democratic processes can be. Obstructing the work of members and misusing important accountability tools in ways that erode their value are dangerous tactics that could have dire impacts on our institutions and nation!”

During a heated turn on the Committee, Ramirez also mentioned: “Our job in this place is to pass policy that addresses the issues [of immigration and border security] with solutions. So here is what I want to propose to you. How about we vote on amendments that actually create the opportunities we need to address the issues.”

At the first impeachment hearing, where it was established that there was no evidence of an impeachable offense committed by Secretary Mayorkas, Ramirez called her colleagues to work with her on no less than 17 policy proposals to address the root causes of migration, protect our communities, and help heal the pain in our communities.

“For two hearings on this sham impeachment, my colleagues have offered something that appears valuable but is empty - a baseless impeachment - in place of something actually valuable - policy solutions. Offering something empty is what some of my colleagues continue to do, whether by choice or incompetence. They are asking Americans to settle for chaos, uncertainty, and political theater,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “ We must reject empty performances that leave us cheated of real change. We need comprehensive, substantive legislation and policy that finally puts an end to 30 years of failed border policy and political inaction.”

For her remarks during mark-up, click HERE.

For the full text of amendment H.R. 1511, click HERE. 

For the full text of amendment H.R.6280, click HERE.

BACKGROUND

Congresswoman Ramirez is the proud daughter of immigrants, the wife of a Dreamer, representative of IL-03, and the Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez has worked tirelessly to humanely address immigration, bring resources back to the district, and has stood against the scapegoating of immigrant communities.

• Congresswoman Ramirez is co-leading the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.
• Congresswoman Ramirez led colleagues of Illinois, New York, and California delegations on a congressional letter urging the Biden Administration to ensure interior cities receive no less than $5 billion in federal resources and support needed to provide shelter and essential life-saving services to asylum seekers.
• Congresswoman Ramirez also sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging legislators to avoid using immigrants as a bargaining chip during budget negotiation, abandon three decades of failed policy, and address immigration beyond the border.
• Congresswoman Ramirez (IL-03) joined Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) to introduce a resolution calling for the abandonment of the Monroe Doctrine and develop an approach to foreign policy that advances our collective interests and builds a stronger coalition in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Congresswoman Ramirez is co-leading the Immigrant Detained Persons Legal Rights Act, legislation to directly address human and due process rights violations occurring in immigrant detention centers.
• Back on January 10, Congresswoman Ramirez presented 16 policy actions Congress must take action at the first Secretary Mayorkas’  impeachment hearing.