DHS letter contradicts GOP claim that Mayorkas refused to testify

Republicans leading impeachment hearings into Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have asked for written testimony from Mayorkas after saying he “declined” to testify in person, but a letter obtained by NBC News indicates he was willing to testify on a different date than the one requested.

The Republican-led Homeland Security Committee had asked Mayorkas via letter to testify this Thursday, Jan. 18. The letter did not offer alternative dates for Mayorkas to appear.

In a letter responding to the committee sent last Thursday, Jan. 11, the Department of Homeland Security said Mayorkas could not testify this week for scheduling reasons, in part because he was scheduled to host Mexican government officials to discuss border enforcement.

“In keeping with the Secretary’s commitment to cooperate with Congressional Committees, he will make himself available to testify before the Committee,” said the DHS letter. “We look forward to working through the details with Committee staff and agreeing upon the date and structure of the hearing. As you can appreciate, the Secretary’s schedule is quite committed with the work of the Department including hosting Mexican Cabinet Members next week to discuss border enforcement.”

The Mexican delegation, which includes members of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Cabinet, is traveling to Washington to discuss and negotiate new policies to stem the flow of migration. The negotiations began last month when Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken went to Mexico to ask Mexico to do more to stop U.S.-bound migrants.

Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee, led by Chairman Mark Green of Tennessee, said in their letter that they are “offering the Secretary the