Alejandro Mayorkas, Top DHS nominee under investigation over abuse of power to help Hillary Clinton’s brother
Authorities are investigating President Obama’s nominee to assume the second highest spot at the Department of Homeland Security for allegedly using his position and power to unfairly obtain U.S. visas for foreign investors in a company run by Hillary Clinton’s brother, FoxNews.com reports.
Alejandro Mayorkas, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, was named by Homeland Security’s Inspector General’s Office as a target in an investigation involving the foreign investor program run by USCIS, according to an email sent to lawmakers late Monday.
Reuters reports that Mayorkas was involved in helping obtain an investor visa for a Chinese national who invested in Gulf Coast Funds Management, a financial firm run by Anthony Rodham, brother to Hillary Clinton. The application was denied twice until Mayorkas stepped in.
The investigation was opened in September 2012 following a referral from an FBI counterintelligence analyst. The probe was first reported by The Associated Press.
The Associated Press reports that under the EB-5 program, foreign citizens who invest $500,000 to $1 million in businesses that create jobs for U.S. citizens can obtain a special investor visa. The amount of money necessary to obtain a visa varies depending on the scope of the project in question. After two years, investors with the program can become legal residents and later citizens.
Mayorkas is set to appear in before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs on Thursday to take part in a hearing on his nomination as deputy secretary.
