On January 18, a U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled "Voices for the Victims: The Heartbreaking Reality of the Mayorkas Border Crisis" was convened. Among the four witnesses was Sheriff Mark J. Dannels of Cochise County, Arizona, who has been serving as an elected sheriff for the past 12 years and is deeply committed to protecting his county and country.

In his testimony, Dannels expressed concern over the state of border security and immigration laws. He said, "By allowing our border security mission and immigration laws to be discretionary, these Criminal Cartels continue to be the true winners, their exploitation of mankind is simply 'Modern Day Slavery'; allowing thousands of pounds of illicit drugs into our country that continue to erode the core-values of families, schools and subsequently killing Americans on an average of 290 every day is completely unacceptable at any level". Further emphasizing on the deteriorating condition of southern border he added, "Our southern border, against all public well-designed statements out of Washington D.C., is in the worst shape I have ever seen it. When one looks at Public Safety, National Security, and Humanitarian aspects, our southern border is the largest crime scene in the country."

According to Cochise County Sheriff's Office records, Dannels has a 40-year background serving in border communities and military roles including service in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Huachuca in Cochise County. He has held leadership roles in prominent law enforcement associations such as past-president of the Arizona Sheriffs Association and Chair of the National Sheriffs Association Border Security.

Dannels underscored how Cochise County has been adversely affected by the southern border crisis. He pointed out high detention costs due to increased border-related crimes and dangers faced by law enforcement officers. He also highlighted how criminal cartels are exploiting an "Open Border", resulting in violence and fear.

Dannels revealed that over the past two years, border-related detention costs have amounted to $9.4 million, a burden borne by local and state taxpayers in Arizona. Amidst an increasing rate of Fentanyl poisoning across the county, he stated that Arizona fentanyl seizures account for 51% of all fentanyl seized in the country. In federal fiscal year 2022, Arizona seized over 60 million Fentanyl pills, while the four Arizona border counties seized 35 million, with an anticipated increase for 2023 Federal fiscal year.

Dannels expressed his frustration with the lack of success in partnering with the administration and U.S. Congress. He attributed this situation to discretionary border security missions and immigration laws that allow criminal cartels to exploit the system.

The hearing marks the second and final one as House Republicans work to advance impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, as reported by CBS news. "This hearing is about the human costs of Secretary Mayorkas' egregious misconduct and failure to fulfill his oath of office," said U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.).