Heinrich Votes To Confirm DHS Secretary Mayorkas

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after voting to confirm U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The Senate confirmed Secretary Mayorkas today by a vote of 56 to 43.

“In the face of domestic terror and cybersecurity threats, the ongoing emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and mounting natural disasters brought on by the climate crisis, it is critical for President Biden to restore leadership and competence at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Alejandro Mayorkas brings a wealth of experience from his time working at DHS during the Obama administration, and I am confident that he will hit the ground running as his agency confronts numerous national emergencies.

“The way we treat immigrants, refugees, and those seeking asylum shows the world what America stands for. I am hopeful that Secretary Mayorkas will reunite families torn apart by the Trump administration, provide the resources our border communities need, and work with Congress to pass legislation to finally reform our broken immigration system.

“I look forward to working with Secretary Mayorkas, President Biden, and senators from both sides of the aisle to advocate for New Mexico’s border communities and create a fair and just immigration system.”