Mayorkas seeks to go on offense over border at testy hearing

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in back-to-back hearings shifted from from offense to defense Wednesday, saying the department was gearing up to handle increased migration levels and warning of tougher consequences for those who repeatedly cross the border illegally.

Mayorkas, facing criticism from Republicans on two panels, said DHS was preparing for the reopening of the asylum system largely blocked by Title 42, the border policy initially launched by the Trump administration.