Kevin McAleenan, current Commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will replace Kirstjen Nielsen, who until Sunday served as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) according to announcement made by President Donald Trump.
“Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen will be leaving her position, and I would like to thank her for her service … I am pleased to announce that Kevin McAleenan , the current Commissioner of the Office of Customs and Border Protection Office, will become the Secretary interim DHS, “Trump announced via Twitter”.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen will be leaving her position, and I would like to thank her for her service….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019
According to the press, the resignation occurred in an interview without an agenda that took place on Sunday night, and it surprised the White House environment.
Nielsen was the executing arm of the president’s immigration policies, which has been constantly criticized by the opposition and numerous social groups because they considered such policies as devoid of humanity.
Nielsen’s resignation does not really come as a surprise to the press, because the secretary’s departure was expected months before, especially after the resignation of John Kelly, White House chief of staff, who suggested Nielsen to succeed him at the DHS when he became the president’s right-hand man.
However, her departure was not consummated until this Sunday when, according to some media reports, she submitted his resignation to the president.
In her letter of resignation, which has been disclosed by some media, Nielsen expresses her wish that his successor has the “support of Congress and the courts in fixing the laws” which, she says, has diminished the ability of DHS to “fully secure America”.
REMINDER: Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen have have resigned, but there are children STILL separated from their parents at the border. #FamiliesBelongTogether pic.twitter.com/J8U8oFZ55D
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) April 8, 2019
Some social organizations, such as America’s Voice, soon reacted to the news on Twitter and noted that, despite her resignation “Through lies, errors and excuses, Nielsen defended the indefensible and directed policies, such as family separation, which only remain in infamy.” They added that Nielsen’s legacy will always be linked to the policy of family separation carried out by the Executive and that has led to the separation of thousands of children who crossed the southern border of the country with their families.
Translated by: José Espinoza
Noticias Newswire
