Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday morning, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.

What You Need To Know

  • Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday morning

  • DHS spokesperson Marsha Espinosa said Mayorkas Mayorkas is "experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per CDC protocols"

  • Espionsa added that contact tracing is currently underway; Mayorkas was expected to travel to Colombia with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to CNN

  • Sec. Mayorkas recently appeared alongside President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, FBI Director Christopher Wray and others on Oct. 16 at an outdoor ceremony

"Secretary Mayorkas tested positive this morning for COVID-19 after taking a test as part of routine pre-travel protocols," DHS spokesperson Marsha Espinosa said in a statement.

"He is experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per CDC protocols and medical advice," Espinosa continued. "Contact tracing is underway."

Mayorkas was expected to travel to Colombia with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to CNN.

On Tuesday evening, the White House issued a statement saying no principal — including the president — had been “determined to be a close contact of Secretary Mayorkas, given that the most recent contact was at the outdoor National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, which took place outside of the 48-hour close contact window.”

Sec. Mayorkas appeared alongside President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, FBI Director Christopher Wray and others on Oct. 16 during the 40th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, a ceremony honoring fallen law enforcement officers outside the U.S. Capitol. 

Mayorkas stood next to the first lady during the unmasked, outdoor ceremony, where the president thanked the secretary by name for his work in the administration. 

"To Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas, thank you for being here and for the great job you’re doing for us," Biden said in part. "Thank you very, very much. And it's a tough job."

Secretary of Homeland Security is 18th in line in the Order of Presidential Succession; however, Mayorkas is one of two members of Biden's cabinet that is not eligible to serve as president due to being a naturalized U.S. citizen rather than natural-born. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, who would normally be 15th in line based on her position, is also ineligible as she was born in Canada.

This report has been updated to include a statement from the White House.