What You Need to Know: Alejandro Mayorkas

What They Are Saying

“Alejandro Mayorkas was found by Barack Obama’s Inspector General to be guilty of selling Green Cards to Chinese nationals on behalf of rich, democratic donors. He is disqualified from leading the Department of Homeland Security.” – Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)

“Mayorkas didn’t receive a single Republican vote in 2013 because of his improper behavior. He’s been willing to abuse his office before–why wouldn’t he do it again?” – Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)

“That brand of leadership isn’t good for agency culture or the security of our nation.” – Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

What You Need to Know

Alejandro Mayorkas made his political debut as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California under President Bill Clinton where he had “inappropriate” involvement in the commutation of a narcotics ring leader.

“The report found that ‘Mayorkas provided critical support for the Vignali commutation that was inappropriate, given his position.’ Specifically, Mayorkas called the White House on behalf of Vignali’s father and conveyed support for Carlos Vignali’s commutation, despite the fact that Mayorkas had had conversations with prosecutors involved in the case, who suggested the drug dealer was a ‘major player’ in drug trafficking.” – Fox News

Mayorkas’ scandals continued during his time in the Obama Administration as an Inspector General report later revealed that Mayorkas used his position to show favoritism and provide special access to politically-powerful Democrats, including Hillary Clinton’s brother.

“In his capacity as head of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to an Obama-era 2015 report from the Office of Inspector General, Mayorkas intervened to help expedite visa requests for wealthy foreign investors.” – New York Post:

“The report explained that Mayorkas intervened on behalf of investors tied to former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Anthony Rodham, Hillary Clinton’s brother.”

“Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tainted the image and integrity of the immigration program he oversaw by fostering ‘an appearance of favoritism and special access’ in how the agency treated projects that would bring visas and Green Cards to wealthy foreign investors, a new report from the agency’s Inspector General says.” – ABC News

Mayorkas went on to make millions at the law firm William Hale as a defender of “corporations in their times of crisis.”

“Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Homeland Security secretary, has made more than $3.3 million over the past two years as a corporate lawyer representing and advising companies such as Airbnb, Northrop Grumman, T-Mobile and Uber, according to a newly filed disclosure.”

“The disclosures could be a hurdle for Mayorkas with some progressive senators, who have battled the companies Mayorkas defended.” – Politico

“Mayorkas represented one company facing federal charges related to contracts it had with the Department of Energy. He also negotiated a plea deal for a utility company responsible for a gas explosion in 2018 that killed one person and injured dozens more.” – Daily Caller