Mayorkas initially attempted to dodge Diaz-Balart by touting President Joe Biden's request late last year for additional border security funding.

Secretary says got-aways "have been a challenge from year to year"

"So, for the first time since 2011, the president of the United States presented a budget successfully that increased the number of Border Patrol agents," Mayorkas declared.

"For the first time, this year, we have 300 more Border Patrol agent eligibility positions than we did in the past. We are making tremendous strides," he continued, adding, "We are devoting tremendous resources to enhance our border security and we will keep at it."

Diaz-Balart did not drop the issue, however, and he followed up by asking, "Do you know where they are and who they are?"

"So, got-aways have been a challenge from year to year regardless of the administration, whether it’s more than a million in the early part of this department’s administration or it’s hundreds of thousands over the ensuing years," Mayorkas acknowledged.

"But what we are doing is we are dedicating people, physical assets, and an increasing reliance and use of innovative technology to enhance our visibility and our interdiction capabilities," he insisted.

D.C. Council chairman wants more federal help in dealing with migrants

America's border crisis has grown to such proportions that even Democratic politicians in so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions such as Washington, D.C. are raising alarm.

The Washington Examiner reported this week that D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson complained the influx of illegal migrants has left social services in the nation's capital "sorely burdened."

"We've gotten some assistance from the Department of Homeland Security," Mendelson said before adding, "I don't think it's enough."