Mayorkas defends handling of migrant crisis, claims 'the border is closed' amid GOP criticism

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday defended the Biden administration’s handling of both the crisis at the southern border and its reduced interior enforcement -- as Republicans accuse the administration of encouraging the surge with looser immigration policies.

The administration has been dealing with a surge in migrants, with more than 178,000 encountered in April. While many are expelled due to Title 42 public health protections, the administration has been releasing some family units into the interior and uniting unaccompanied children with parents or guardians already in the country. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., asked Mayorkas if there are any consequences for illegally crossing the border "because frankly, it appears that President Biden’s message to one and all is the U.S. has no limits to whom can come because the administration will not enforce any of its immigration laws -- is that the message, that this country will not enforce its immigration laws?"