Kennedy to Mayorkas: 'Did You Just Parachute In From Another Planet?' (March 28, 2023)

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., had heard enough from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about how hard the administration was working at the border. “Did you just parachute in from another planet, Mr. Secretary? Because you’re the only person in the Milky Way who believes that we’re not having massive, massive illegal immigration into America,” Kennedy said [1].

“Senator, you’re—you’re putting words into my mouth,” Mayorkas answered. “No, sir. I’m accurately describing the situation,” Kennedy said. Mayorkas then conceded: “There is no question, there is no question that we have a very serious challenge at our Southern Border” [1].

The video above shows the exchange from the Senate Judiciary Committee’s March 28, 2023, oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security. Quotes are from the official hearing record, Senate Hearing 118-768 [1].

”In the History of Ever”

Kennedy set it up with a list. He started with border encounters: “we have had the most encounters with people attempting to come into our country illegally in the history of ever.” Then: “Under the Biden administration, we have had the most people entering our country illegally in the history of ever. Under the Biden administration, we have had the most got- aways at our Southern Border in the history of ever” [1].

He kept going: the most people “entering our country under a claim of asylum, having that claim turned down, and still not being deported in the history of ever,” and “the most fentanyl coming into our country in the history of ever.” “How can you possibly say the Southern Border is secure? I understand your answer that you’re trying, but I’m not asking about your efforts. I’m asking about the results” [1].

Mayorkas pointed to removals. “Do you know that last year we expelled and removed approximately 1.4 million people from the Southern Border? I believe that’s the most ever,” he said [1].

“I know you’re focused, Mr. Chairman—or, Mr. Secretary, but you’re not succeeding,” Kennedy replied [1].

”Are We Succeeding?”

The round began with the border. “Mr. Secretary, our Southern Border is not secure. Is it?” Kennedy asked. Mayorkas said security meant “maximizing the resources we have to deliver the most effective results” [1].

“So we are secure because we’re trying to secure it? Are we succeeding?” Kennedy asked. “Senator, we are so focused on the security of our Southern Border,” Mayorkas said. “But you are not succeeding,” Kennedy said [1].

“My job is to worry about the United States,” Kennedy said when Mayorkas called migration a problem “gripping the entire hemisphere.” “As is mine. As is mine,” Mayorkas said [1].

”Don’t Filibuster Me”

Mayorkas tried to cite a parole program. “Let me give you an example of a solution that we have delivered that for some reason is being contested, because it’s caused a 95----” he began [1].

“Mr. Secretary, I gave you 30 seconds. Okay?” Kennedy said. “Don’t filibuster me. You’ve been doing that all day. I’m just trying to ask you a question” [1].

Mayorkas finished anyway. The program, he said, “has led to a—to approximately 95 percent drop in the number of encounters in between the ports of entry at our Southern Border of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.” “And why would that be opposed when it is delivering precisely the result that you seek?” he asked. That was when Kennedy asked whether he had parachuted in from another planet [1].

”What Is an Assault Weapon?”

Kennedy had opened with a different subject. “Mr. Secretary, do you agree with the President that we should ban the private ownership of assault weapons in America?” “Senator, I do,” Mayorkas said. “What is an assault weapon?” Kennedy asked. “It is, for example, an AK-47,” Mayorkas answered [1].

When Mayorkas turned to his years as a federal prosecutor instead of giving a definition, Kennedy cut in. “Secretary, do you know why we get so frustrated with you? Because you won’t give straight answers,” he said. “I think I just did,” Mayorkas said. “No, you didn’t. No, you didn’t,” Kennedy replied [1].

”Get Reviewing”

Kennedy closed with a proposal: turn away adults who did not seek asylum in the first safe country they crossed. “Why don’t you just unilaterally declare a Safe Third Country policy? It would work,” he said. “If you’re coming from Venezuela and you come through Mexico, if you didn’t claim asylum in Mexico, you can’t come here” [1].

Mayorkas said such a policy required agreements. “You don’t have to have an agreement with anybody. It can be a policy established by the Department of Homeland Security,” Kennedy said. “You’ve had 2 years to adopt a policy like I just described. Why haven’t you done it?” [1]

“Senator, I’d have to review the----” Mayorkas began. “You haven’t reviewed that? You haven’t considered that possibility?” Kennedy asked [1].

By the Numbers

5: “history of ever” records Kennedy listed under Biden [1].
1.4 million: expulsions and removals Mayorkas claimed for the prior year [1].
30 seconds: the time Kennedy said he gave Mayorkas before “Don’t filibuster me” [1].
2 years: how long Kennedy said Mayorkas had to adopt a safe third country policy [1].

What Happened Next

The House impeached Mayorkas. House Republicans impeached him in February 2024. On April 17, 2024, the Senate voted 51-49 along party lines to dismiss the articles and adjourn the trial, Government Executive reported [2].

Trump ended the parole program. On March 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced it “is terminating the categorical parole programs for inadmissible aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela and their immediate family members,” the program Mayorkas had touted [4].

Trump declared a border emergency. On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump proclaimed “that a national emergency exists at the southern border of the United States.” “America’s sovereignty is under attack,” the proclamation said [3].

For Sen. Lankford’s questioning of Mayorkas three weeks later, see HYGO News’ page on detention space and the 2033 hearings.