President Joe Biden (D) appointed Vice President Kamala Harris (D) with leading the response to immigration concerns at the border. However, the Vice President is now facing criticism for not holding a press conference or touring the southern border. As the Biden Administration moves forward in resuming construction of the border wall, Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) questioned Secretary of Homeland Security Alejando Mayorkas how they are “enforcing current immigration law & protecting American families.”
In January, President Biden issued an executive order that immediately halted the construction of the border wall. However, the President and his Administration received criticism when it was hinted that construction of the wall would resume. This week, the administration did just that, and the Department of Homeland Security released a statement informing that the construction will “protect border communities from physical dangers,” adding that “large holes’ were blown into the Rio Grande Valley’s flood barrier system to make way for the wall which, as a result, requires repairing to prevent ‘catastrophic flooding.’”
I asked @SecMayorkas to explain how @DHSgov & the Biden Admin are enforcing current immigration law & protecting American families. He refused to answer. This is unacceptable. @POTUS must take responsibility for the crisis he created & secure the border NOW. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CizIictrno
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 13, 2021
While being questioned, Secretary Mayorkas shared that he believes “the border wall, in many respects, was not the most effective use of taxpayer dollars to secure the border.”
He added that the administration wanted to reassess what was being conducted before moving forward, “so we’re taking a look at the gates, the gaps… in those parts that have been completed and what is reasonable to complete in the judicious exercise of taxpayer dollars.”
However, Senator Scott admitted on Twitter that he was not satisfied with the Secretary’s response.
Calling it an “unacceptable” answer, Senator Scott added that President Biden “must take responsibility for the crisis he created & secure the border NOW.”
Many members of the GOP have criticized the Administration on its response to the border, and many argued that the President should’ve elaborated on the challenges during his State of the Union address.
