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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has denied Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s assertions that President Biden can implement new border policies without additional legislation.

During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Mayorkas argued that many legal challenges were faced by former President Trump’s attempts to close the border, noting that Governor Abbott “Couldn’t be more wrong, couldn’t be more wrong.”

Mayorkas also criticized Governor Abbott for a lack of cooperation and collaboration with federal officials, saying, “This coming from an individual who is purposefully refusing to coordinate, communicate, collaborate with other officials and trying to wreak havoc in other cities and states across the country. That is not a model of governance.”

The exchange comes amid heightened political activity around border issues, with Mayorkas accompanying Biden to Texas and Abbott joining Trump in Eagle Pass. Both visits came as both Biden and Trump have proposed different approaches to handling the border and immigration crisis impacting the United States.

Digging Deeper:
Abbott, on a previous “State of the Union” episode, critiqued Biden for not utilizing executive authority to enforce existing immigration laws, a sentiment echoed by some Republicans who argue that new legislation is unnecessary for border action. Mayorkas has consistently countered these claims by calling for legislative action, noting that both the president and Congress must play a role in addressing changes to US immigration policy.