With a narrow majority (214 votes in favor, 213 against), the Republicans of the House of Representatives on Tuesday referred to trial in the Senate Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security of the administration of President Joe Biden, in charge of immigration, who according to ’caused’ them the immigration crisis at the US/Mexico border.

It is the first time in nearly 150 years that a US minister has been impeached by the lower House for trial in the Senate. His conviction and suspension from his duties is, however, considered completely unlikely, given that the Democrats maintain a marginal majority in the Senate.

Republicans argue that Mr. Mayorkas is pursuing an overly “relaxed” policy and that he is “encouraging” illegal immigration. The indictment (“articles of impeachment” in English) that they drew up also accuses him of making false statements to Congress.

The development comes a week after the House failed to impeach the minister, which was described as a slap in the face for the president of the body Mike Johnson. But Republican Rep. Steve Scalise, who is undergoing cancer treatment and was absent from last Tuesday’s vote, returned to Washington this week for the process.

It is clear that immigration will also dominate this election campaign, in view of what is seen as a certainty for Mr. Biden’s new showdown with Donald Trump on November 5.

Republicans accuse the White House occupant of being responsible for the “invasion” of illegal immigrants, touting record apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the border (302,000 in December).

Constitutional experts point out, something Republican deputies acknowledge, that the investigation by the House of Representatives practically did not prove anything against the 64-year-old minister, born in Cuba. They see in his arraignment simply a reflection of the political conflict in Washington.

The person concerned, Mr. Mayorkas, keeps repeating that the American right is wasting valuable time and taxpayers’ money indulging in “political maneuvering” with the project. His services at the Department of Homeland Security described his arraignment as a “hoax.”

In addition to the impeachment of the minister, the investigation carried out in Parliament continues at the same time for the possible impeachment of the president himself, for his actions when he was vice president.

Mr. Trump’s predecessor was twice impeached in the Senate by Democrats. He was acquitted in both cases.

The most recent impeachment of a minister to a Senate trial by the House of Representatives dates back to 1876. Then-Secretary of War William Belknap, accused of corruption, resigned before the proceedings were completed.