Thread by @ReichlinMelnick

Less than 10 minutes into the DHS appropriations hearing with @AliMayorkas and we already got Ranking Member Fleischmann referring to CBP as "CPB" and incorrectly saying that border apprehensions are "at a record high" (they are not).

appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing…

Ranking Member Fleischmann also cites Nick Miroff's Washington Post article from yesterday that pushed a false narrative that ICE isn't doing anything anymore, despite the fact that ICE has arrested 13,000 people since February 13.

Secretary Mayorkas is now giving his opening statement, which is mostly summarizing the Biden skinny budget.

You can read the full written testimony here. docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP…

Now Rep. Roybal Allard asks for an update from Secretary Mayorkas on the border, asking him to compare it to 2019.

He notes far fewer children in CBP custody, which is a great success.

Mayorkas says "the challenge is not behind us" and notes improvements in getting kids out of ORR custody. But that progress has somewhat slowed in recent weeks.

Back to Fleischmann and he is now asking Mayorkas again about Miroff's article from yesterday.

Mayorkas says he is "completely unfamiliar" with the "one arrest every two months" statistic from the article, and he says he doesn't think it's accurate.

I think it is accurate, though. Mayorkas says that numbers aren't that important, though.

Fleischmann acknowledges Mayorkas's response but then keeps reading from Miroff's article, citing it directly and asking for direct response to quotes from it.

Once again, Miroff plays the role of the voice of the DHS enforcement institutionalists.

Moving to Rep. Cuellar, who asks about the restrictions on non-essential travel across the border, which are still in place despite relaxed restrictions elsewhere, and highlights the absurdity of the fact that people can fly in from Mexico with no restrictions but not drive in.

Have to drop off from the hearing now, but will still be listening in the background.

Just some appalling questions from a congressman now towards Mayorkas, talking about "illegals" being allowed to "run around the country" in a way that makes clear he doesn't see them as human beings.