In a move that has drawn strong reaction from Democrats, House Republicans have released two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Republicans accuse Mayorkas of failing to effectively manage the U.S.-Mexico border, citing what they call a "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" on immigration.

The impeachment resolution claims that Mayorkas has "compromised public safety, violated the rule of law, and breached the public trust." House Republicans argue that impeachment is the only viable option to hold him accountable for his alleged "high crimes and misdemeanors."

Notably, the last time a Cabinet secretary was impeached was in 1876 when President Ulysses Grant's war secretary, William Belknap, faced charges related to kickbacks in government contracts. However, targeting a Cabinet official for a policy dispute, as in Mayorkas' case, is unprecedented.

Republicans have been pushing for Mayorkas' impeachment since taking control of the House in 2023. This latest development comes as their efforts to impeach Democratic President Joe Biden have faced challenges.

The House Homeland Security Committee, which is controlled by Republicans, plans to vote on the articles of impeachment on Tuesday. Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that the full House will proceed with a vote shortly after that. Impeachment only requires a House majority, although a two-thirds majority is needed for a conviction in the Senate, which is unlikely given its Democratic majority.

Ironically, Mayorkas has been engaged in negotiations with senators to reach a bipartisan deal on border policy while facing impeachment proceedings. Some senators have praised his involvement in the process.

Democrats have strongly criticized the impeachment proceedings, dismissing them as a waste of time and arguing that Republicans are part of the problem at the border. They accuse Republicans of attacking Mayorkas without providing the necessary resources for the Department of Homeland Security to address the situation effectively.

Responding to the impeachment resolution, the Department of Homeland Security emphasized Mayorkas' efforts to address border challenges, including high numbers of deportations and tackling fentanyl smuggling. They also argued that detaining every individual crossing the border illegally is impractical, given capacity limitations, and that focus should be on those who pose security threats.

While the outcome of the impeachment process is uncertain, the move by House Republicans underscores the significance of border security and immigration as key issues in the upcoming 2024 election. Additionally, former President Donald Trump's promise to execute a large-scale deportation operation if he returns to the White House further highlights the political pertinence of these matters.

It remains to be seen how the impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas will unfold and whether they will impact the ongoing negotiations for a bipartisan border policy deal.