Republican Texas Rep. August Pfluger forced Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to confront a family who lost loved ones to a car crash involving a human smuggler at the southern border during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Wednesday.
Grandmother and granddaughter Maria and Emilia Tambunga were killed after they were hit by a human smuggler attempting to transport illegal migrants while driving in a Texas border town, according to San Angelo Live. Pfluger asked Mayorkas to turn to the victims’ family members that were in the hearing room and apologize to them.
“I’m wearing a pink tie today, mister secretary in honor of that little girl,” Pfluger said.
“Most importantly, Mister secretary, the Tambunga family is here today. Emilio, Maria’s husband, and Elisa, Emilia’s daughter and Emilia’s mother and Virginia, Emilia’s daughter and Emilia’s, they’re sitting right behind you. They came here today because they want answers. They came here today because the failures [of] you and your leadership. They came here because they want closure. They deserve answers. Mister Mayorkas, will you turn around and offer them your condolences and an apology for the failure of your administration that led to the death of their loved ones? They’re there, they’re standing right there. Mister secretary, they’re standing there and I think they deserve an apology from you.”
“Mr. Chairman, may I stand and turn my back?,” Mayorkas asked before turning around to face the family and speak to them.
“Our heart breaks for your loss. Our heart breaks for the loss of all victims of criminal activity,” Mayorkas said to the family.
Pfluger then asked Mayorkas to commit to meeting with the Tambunga family “today” in his office.
“Will you commit to meeting with them?,” Pfluger asked.
“Congressman, I most certainly will as long as you do not politicize the meeting,” Mayorkas responded.
Pfluger then interjected, saying Mayorkas is the problem.
“Mister secretary, the only person politicizing anything here is you. The security of this country is not a political matter,” Pfluger said.
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