Raddatz Challenges Mayorkas on Biden's Troubled Border Actions, Questions "Success" Claim

ABC's Martha Raddatz grilled Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday, expressing skepticism over the Biden administration's border policies, pointing to the influx of migrants as evidence of their ineffectiveness.

ABC's Martha Raddatz confronted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday, calling it "very hard" to label President Biden's border actions as a success given the ongoing flow of migrants. Raddatz played a clip of Mayorkas' 2021 statement expressing confidence in the administration's plan to address migration, but noted the subsequent surge in border apprehensions.

Mayorkas defended the administration, emphasizing the complexity of managing migration and pointing to the lack of congressional action addressing the issue. However, Raddatz pressed him on the effectiveness of the recent border action, which temporarily suspends non-citizen entry once border encounters exceed 2,500 a day.

Specifically, Raddatz questioned the feasibility of reducing border encounters to an average of 1,500 per day over 14 days, a condition for lifting the suspension. Mayorkas remained optimistic, stating that they were working towards this goal.

Raddatz also raised concerns about the potential detrimental effects of the new policy, highlighting the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU) threat to sue over its similarities to a Trump-era measure. Mayorkas expressed disagreement with the ACLU's position, anticipating a lawsuit but emphasizing the need for congressional action.

Mayorkas further explained that the policy was implemented after bipartisan border legislation failed in Congress. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation with other countries in addressing regional migratory pressures.

Despite Mayorkas' defense of the administration's approach, Raddatz maintained her skepticism, questioning the timing of the policy and its potential efficacy in reducing border crossings. She also highlighted the ongoing apprehensions of undocumented migrants as a striking contrast to Mayorkas' earlier claims of success.

In response to Raddatz's scrutiny, Mayorkas reiterated the administration's commitment to addressing migration but emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions involving legislative action and regional cooperation. However, Raddatz's questioning underscored the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding Biden's border policies, leaving open the question of whether the administration will ultimately succeed in curbing illegal border crossings.