‘Was There a Breakdown in the System?’ Brennan Presses DHS Sec Mayorkas About Woman Allegedly Murdered By Undocumented Migrant

CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan pressed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about the murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley, allegedly at the hands of a man in the country illegally who has extensive record.

Last week, Riley was allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant while she was on a run on the University of Georgia campus. Republicans, including former president Donald Trump, have blamed the death on President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and the influx of migrants and surge in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.

During an interview with on Face The Nation, Brennan confronted Mayorkas over the young woman’s death, asking if the suspected killer should have been deported given his long criminal history.

BRENNAN: I want to ask you about a criminal case that has become a political rallying point. You heard Donald Trump use this phrase migrant crime. A 22 year old nursing student. I know you’ve been following this. Laken Riley in the state of Georgia was murdered allegedly by an undocumented Venezuelan migrant. The suspect had been detained by Porter Patrol upon crossing, released with temporary permission to stay in the country. He then went on, allegedly to commit crimes, twice, once in New York for driving a scooter without a license and once in connection with a shoplifting case in Georgia. Did those states and their law enforcement communicate to the federal government that this had happened? Should this man have been deported?

MAYORKAS: A few thoughts. First, Margaret. First and foremost, an absolute tragedy. And our hearts break for. And our prayers are with the family. Number one. Number two, and importantly, as a prosecutor, having prosecuted violent crime and other crimes for 12 years, one individual is responsible for the murder. And that is the murder. And we work very closely with state and local law enforcement to ensure that individuals who pose a threat to public safety are indeed our highest priority for detention and removal.

BRENNAN: Are you saying there that the federal government had been informed about this individual and the alleged crimes he had committed in those states? Because he could have been deported if that was the case. Was there a breakdown in the system?

MAYORKAS: So, Margaret, there are a number of cities around the country, that, have varying degrees of cooperation with the immigration authorities. We firmly believe that if it did not…if a city is aware of an individual who poses a threat to public safety, then we would request that they provide us with that information so that we can ensure that that individual is detained if the facts so warrant.

Last month, House Republicans impeached Mayorkas after a second vote, accusing the cabinet official of refusing to comply with immigration laws.

Watch the full clip above via CBS News.