ACLU Comment on Nielsen Resignation as Homeland Security Secretary

WASHINGTON — In response to the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, American Civil Liberties Union Political Director Ronald Newman said:

“Kirstjen Nielsen served as Homeland Security Secretary during a sad and shameful chapter in the agency’s history. Nielsen oversaw gross civil rights and civil liberties violations that will go down as among the worst failures in Trump’s chaotic presidency.

“From the family separation crisis she created and defended, to the restricting of immigrants’ rights to seek asylum, to the relentless yet pointless efforts to build Trump’s border wall, and so many other egregious actions, Nielsen allowed the department to serve as the key cog in Trump’s unconstitutional and anti-immigrant agenda of fear, rather than protecting Americans.

“The fact that Kevin McAleenan will serve as acting secretary provides no reassurance. He has been key in implementing Trump and Nielsen’s unconscionable policies and has overseen countless of Border Patrol’s abuses. Congress needs to ensure that the next leader of Homeland Security follows the rule of law, and returns the agency to its real mission.”