Challenges in the Life of Alejandro Mayorkas in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Alejandro Mayorkas's life and career.

Alejandro Nicolas Mayorkas is an American attorney and government official who served as the seventh United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he has held prominent roles within the Department of Homeland Security, including Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (2009-2013) and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (2013-2016). His career has focused on immigration and homeland security matters within the U.S. government.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

January 2021: Increase in Encounters with Removable Noncitizens

Beginning in January 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a significant increase in nationwide encounters with removable noncitizens across the country.

June 2021: Surge in Arrests at the Border

In June 2021, the monthly number of intercepted migrants reached a decade high of 188,800 at the Mexico-United States border.

2022: Record Encounters at the U.S.-Mexico Border

In fiscal year 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a record 2.2 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border.

2022: Record Number of Encounters at the Border

In fiscal year 2022, there was a record 2.2 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, marking the highest in history.

October 31, 2023: Testimony on Unapprehended Individuals

On October 31, 2023, Mayorkas testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee that over 600,000 people illegally entered the U.S. without being apprehended during the 2023 fiscal year.

November 9, 2023: Motion to Impeach Mayorkas Filed

On November 9, 2023, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to impeach Mayorkas, citing a dereliction of duty related to the Southern border.

January 17, 2024: House Passes Resolution Denouncing Border Handling

On January 17, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution denouncing the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the U.S. southern border by a vote of 225–187.

January 28, 2024: House Republicans Introduce Articles of Impeachment

On January 28, 2024, House Republicans introduced two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, alleging "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" and breach of the public trust. The impeachment was criticized by constitutional legal scholars and Democrats.

January 31, 2024: House Committee Approves Impeachment Articles

On January 31, 2024, Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee approved the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, referring them to the full House.

February 6, 2024: House Initially Votes Against Impeachment

On February 6, 2024, the House voted against impeaching Mayorkas, with the vote being 214–216.

February 13, 2024: House Votes to Impeach Mayorkas

On February 13, 2024, the House voted to impeach Mayorkas on a party-line vote of 214–213; making him the first federal official to be impeached based solely on policy disagreements, and the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in 150 years.

April 17, 2024: Senate Dismisses Impeachment Charges

On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Senate voted that the impeachment charges against Mayorkas were unconstitutional and moot and adjourned the trial.

June 2024: Continued High Number of Encounters with Removable Noncitizens

By June 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported about 10 million nationwide encounters with removable noncitizens across the country since January 2021.

July 25, 2024: House Passes Another Resolution Condemning Border Handling

On July 25, 2024, the House of Representatives passed another resolution condemning the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the U.S. southern border by a vote of 220–196.