Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) Wednesday the agency does not have operational control of the southern border, contradicting the Biden administration’s narrative.
“Does DHS have operational control of our entire border?” Green asked at the hearing in McAllen, Texas.
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“No, sir,” Ortiz responded.
Green held up a definition of operational control in the U.S. code as “the prevention of all unlawful entries into the United States, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics and other contraband.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed last year to Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) that the Department of Homeland Security has operational control of the border.
Green asked the head of the border patrol about Mayorkas’ comments.
“About ten years ago, we used operational control as a measuring stick of our effectiveness along the southwest border. My new strategy is geared towards mission advantage,” Ortiz responded.
“You heard the secretary, he said we have operational control,” he said, before pointing to the definition. “That’s the definition.”
Ortiz responded: “Based upon the definition you have sir, up there, no.”
“We don’t have operational control?” Green asked.
“No sir,” Ortiz said.
Green also exposed his Democrat colleagues for a “political stunt” by boycotting the hearing.