In Senate Hearing, Sinema Questions Homeland Security Secretary on Arizona's Border

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas today during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing after DHS listened to her calls and announced improved communication and coordination with Arizona border communities by releasing adult migrants to non-profit organizations. Sinema continued to press for DHS accountability and highlighted how her Bipartisan Border Solutions Act will help Arizona respond to the urgent border crisis.

"As Chair of this committee's border management subcommittee, I will continue to work to ensure Congress and the administration take meaningful steps to secure the border, support our border communities and NGOs, prevent the spread of COVID-19, and treat all migrants and unaccompanied children fairly and humanely. That is why I recently introduced the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act with Senator Cornyn. Our bill doesn't solve all the challenges at the border, but it takes meaningful steps to respond to the ongoing crisis…," said Sinema, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management.

DHS recently announced that, following Sinema's calls, they will improve coordination and communication and drop adult migrants off at non-profit organizations--a decision that improves the safety of communities and migrants. Sinema asked Secretary Mayorkas about what steps DHS is taking to ensure the safety of Arizona communities and migrants during the coronavirus pandemic, and called on Secretary Mayorkas to continue improving the coordination and communication between DHS and Arizona communities about migrant drop-offs.

Recently, Sinema led the first hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management as Chair, where she heard testimony from witnesses representing non-governmental organizations who are supporting efforts to protect our communities and treat all migrants fairly and humanely.

Leading the conversation on addressing the border crisis, Sinema also partnered with Republican Senator John Cornyn (Texas) to introduce the bicameral Bipartisan Border Solutions Act--legislation that improves the federal government's response to the border crisis, reduces the impact on local border communities, and ensures migrants are treated fairly and humanely.

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