Alejandro Mayorkas

“We really do need Congress to pass immigration reform. It is essential that we do so.”

“I have the privilege of serving at the president's designation as the Chairman of the Family Reunification Task Force.”

“It's not about speech, it's about the connectivity to violence. That is what we need to address. You know, an individual has the free speech right to spew anti-Semitic rhetoric. What they don't have the right to do is take hostages in a synagogue, and that's where we get involved.”

“I have resolve. It's an important human quality when one has incredibly important work to do on behalf of the country.”

“After being confirmed as secretary of homeland security, one of my first actions was to increase training opportunities for law enforcement personnel to conduct threat-assessment and threat-management programs related to domestic violent extremism.”

“I think there is a challenge at the border that we are managing, and we have our resources dedicated to managing it.”

“We know how to conduct an investigation with integrity.”

“My father and mother brought me to this country to escape communism and to provide me with the security, opportunity and pride that American citizenship brings to each of us.”

“In fact, many DACA recipients grew up not knowing that they weren't citizens because they were American in every way except on paper. When they sought driver's licenses or applied to college, many learned of their status for the first time, and the limitless opportunities they dreamed of suddenly dimmed.”

“It's quite challenging in dealing with a country like Venezuela, where the diplomatic relations, if they exist at all, can be strained.”

“The fact is that disinformation that creates a threat to the security of the homeland is our responsibility to address.”

“Words matter. We've seen that with soaring impact, and we've seen it with tremendously damaging impact.”

“The opportunity to earn citizenship was vital to my success in this country, and today it is my highest honor to be able to serve my country as the secretary of Homeland Security.”

“We will remain vigilant, and we will not forget that protecting America means that we will defend the principles on which it was founded.”

“I don't speculate about the motives - the political motives of the political motives of personal attacks.”

“The horror of seeing the U.S. Capitol, one of the pillars of our democracy, attacked on Jan. 6 was a brutal example of our suffering, and it compels us all to action.”

“As the horrific events of Jan. 6 underscored, DHS must have the operational capacity to appropriately respond to domestic violent extremism.”

“Working very closely with the Mexican government and international organizations in Mexico, we have developed a virtual platform that enables individuals with active cases in the 'Remain in Mexico' program to actually register for relief using their phones.”

“Because there was a pathway to citizenship that allowed me to secure legal status, I had the unbridled chance to work hard and build a life and a family here.”

“I have been in government now for more than 20 years, and there are policies with which I have agreed and policies with which I have disagreed... That's part of being a member of an organization in a leadership structure.”