(CNSNews.com) - "We do anticipate a surge in the number of encounters at our southern border" when Title 42, the public health authority, ends on May 11, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) noted that "some in your own team have estimated we may be at 11,000 people a day illegally crossing the border," which means "a bad situation is about to get much worse." (Mayorkas did not confirm that anticipated number.)

Mayorkas said the administration's "overarching approach" is to invest in poor and violent countries that so many people are fleeing; to build "lawful pathways" so asylum-seekers don't endanger their lives; and to surge resources to the border.

Mayorkas also said DHS will use its Title 8 immigration authority, "which delivers a consequence for individuals who arrive in-between the ports of entry who do not have a lawful basis to remain in the United States."

But later in the hearing, Mayorkas said in fiscal year 2022, only around 360,000 individuals were removed under Title 8, which is only 15 percent of the total 2,278,944 encounters of undocumented migrants at the southwest border in FY 2022.

Mayorkas said DHS is working with Mexico and other countries to take back the undocumented migrants expelled under Title 8.

"Just last week, I was in Panama to work with our Panamanian and Colombian partners on a regional solution to what is a regional problem. We are doing so much more to be ready for the potential surge in migration at our southern border upon the end of Title 42," Mayorkas said.

"Importantly, Mr. Chairman, we are also taking it to the smuggling organizations that spread disinformation to vulnerable migrants and fraudulently coax them into taking what they are deceived into thinking is a safe journey. And it is anything but that, as we so tragically know."

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) noted that in December 2022, "migration surged due to the anticipated end of Title 42. Border Patrol encountered over 220,000 migrants just in that month. Many of these migrants were quickly expelled back to Mexico because of agreements with Mexico to accept removed individuals from certain countries.

"Arizonans are concerned about the status of these agreements once Title 42 authorities are rescinded in just a few weeks. Losing these agreements will drive additional migration. Is DHS working with the State Department and the government of Mexico so that they continue to accept these nationals from these countries after Title 42 ends?" Sinema asked.

Mayorkas told her, "We are indeed working with the government of Mexico. We are in active discussions with them. We are not only working with the government of Mexico, but we're working with other partner countries throughout the region to address migration at a -- that is at a level that is gripping the entire hemisphere, not just the southern border of the United States."

In response to sharp criticism from frustrated Republicans, some of whom say Mayorkas should be removed from his job, Mayorkas told Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.): "[W]e are very, very focused on the security of our border."

"No, you're not. No, you're not," Johnson shot back. "I -- I don't want to listen to that."  Johnson told Mayorkas he "should resign," and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said Mayorkas should be impeached.

Also see:
CBP: 82 Individuals on Terror Watchlist Caught Crossing U.S.-Mexico Border So Far in FY2023