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Homeland Officials Come Forward For Not Supporting Trump’s Plan

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Ronald Vitiello both opposed a Trump administration plan to make mass arrests of migrants, according to new information published by The Washington Post. Nielsen and Vitiello were both asked to resign.

“The operation involved fast-tracking immigration court cases, giving the government permission to instantly deport those who did not show up for their hearings, the Post reports. During coordinated raids in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and other major cities, about 2,500 migrants were set to be arrested and then deported,” The Week reported. “Nielsen and Vitiello cautioned against the plan, concerned that ICE agents weren’t prepared for such a task and that it would take resources from the border, officials told the Post, adding that while Nielsen and Vitiello blocked the plan at the time, it is still being considered.”

According to Department of Homeland Security officials who spoke to the Washington Post, Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller and ICE Deputy Director Matthew Albence were strong supporters of the plan. Both encouraged Trump to make “dramatic, high-profile arrests” of migrants, according to The Hill and The Washington Post.

“[Miller and Albence] were especially supportive of the plan, officials said, eager to execute dramatic, highly visible mass arrests that they argued would help deter the soaring influx of families,” The Washington Post reported. “The arrests were planned for New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and the other largest U.S. destinations for Central American migrants. Though some of the cities are considered “sanctuary” jurisdictions with police departments that do not cooperate with ICE, the plan did not single out those locations, officials said.”

President Trump has not responded to the claims made by DHS officials, instead of focusing on his upcoming meeting with the Chinese president to discuss a trade deal.