Republicans begin process to IMPEACH Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for border crisis as he blames an immigration system broken for 30 years and climate change on surge in migration

Republicans are taking the first steps to formally oust the Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas for his handling of the ongoing southern border crisis.

DailyMail.com confirmed that the first impeachment hearing against Mayorkas will take place next week, on January 10, before the House Homeland Security Committee.

It comes after officials revealed that more than 302,000 people had crossed the border illegally in December.

It is the highest single-month total ever recorded in history and marks the first time encounters with migrants have exceeded 300,000. In 2020 there were only 400,000 crossings for the entire year.

The House Homeland Security Committee, led by Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., investigated Mayorkas for several months and prepared a comprehensive report on his “dereliction of duty.”

Green told DailyMail.com that his committee's investigation has “made it clear” that the border crisis “has its basis in Secretary Mayorkas' decision-making and refusal to enforce the laws passed by Congress, and that his inability to fulfill his oath of office requires accountability. .'

In November, the Hose voted to refer the articles of impeachment drafted by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to his committee.

Green said the referral highlighted the “importance of picking up the impeachment process – and that's what we'll be doing next Wednesday.”

The secretary told MSNBC this morning that he would “most certainly” comply with the committee's impeachment inquiry.

But he said he is currently focused on finding “solutions to problems,” including working with senators to reach a bipartisan solution to border security measures.

Moreover, Mayorkas blamed the ongoing crisis on a 30-year broken immigration system — as well as climate change.

He told MSNBC that the challenge of “displaced people” not just in the US but around the world is due to the “effects of climate change, poverty and rising authoritarianism.”

Mayorkas also placed blame on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who he said “refuses to work together” with other governors and other local officials to coordinate efforts.

“It is a remarkable failure by the administration to refuse to cooperate with fellow local and state officials,” he continued.

Last month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill making it a crime to enter the state illegally, a move that further empowers local law enforcement authorities to detain and deport migrants entering Texas.

Local authorities have already arrested migrants on charges of state crimes under Abbott's Operation Lone Star immigration program. The new law is expected to come into effect in March.

Abbott previously ordered the installation of a 1,000-foot floating barrier in Eagle Pass and the installation of razor wire near the Rio Grande to prevent migrants from entering once they cross the river, both moves that were blocked by the court.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene on its behalf after an appeals court blocked it from removing the razor wire while the lower court battle over the razor wire played out.

Abbott has also bused thousands of migrants to liberal-run cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles.

A DHS spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday that there is “no valid basis to impeach Secretary Mayorkas” and called Republicans' “extreme impeachment push” a “harmful distraction from our critical national security priorities.”

“Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue to work every day to keep Americans safe,” the spokesperson continued.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and 60 House Republicans will tour the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas.

It is the largest congressional delegation in history to descend on the southern border.

In Eagle Pass, the local fire department is underwater financially as it is forced to spend as much as $21,000 a day on migrant-related emergencies, according to Eagle Pass Fire Chief Manuel Mello.

Republicans have seized on border security issues as one of the top 2024 election issues, which has become a political headache for President Joe Biden.

“We have to do something, they have to give me the money I need to protect the border,” Biden said as he returned to Washington DC from his Caribbean vacation on Tuesday evening.

Before Christmas, the Democratic-led Senate began hammering out the details of a foreign aid package that would also address border security measures.

Mayorkas spent much of the holiday in discussions behind closed doors and said he is hopeful there is a path forward with the Senate on a deal — despite continued pressure for his impeachment in the House of Representatives.

“For nearly three years, the American people have demanded an end to the unprecedented crisis at the southwest border, and they have rightly called for Congress to hold those responsible accountable,” Green continued in the statement to DailyMail.com.

“That's why the House Committee on Homeland Security has led a comprehensive investigation into the causes, costs and consequences of this crisis.”