Job One at Homeland Security Under Trump: Immigration – New York Times
Homeland Security officials reject the idea that the agency is too focused on immigration. Officials noted that Mr. Trump signed an executive order on cybersecurity and has proposed adding money and staff to the agencys cybersecurity efforts.
The officials add that the president appointed Brock Long, an experienced emergency management official, to head FEMA. Mr. Long was confirmed, 95 to 4, by the Senate.
They also point out that John F. Kelly, the Homeland Security secretary, has taken a number of steps to protect air travel, including a temporary ban on portable electronics from some countries and implementing new screening measures to thwart attacks.
No one is going to tell you that immigration and border security arent priorities; they are the priorities that the president ran on, said Jonathan Hoffman, assistant secretary for public affairs at the department. But the focus on these issues isnt so much that we have neglected any part of the Department of Homeland Security.
But so far the Trump administration has focused on illegal immigration: building a wall along the border with Mexico, hiring thousands of new Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and deporting tens of thousands of people in the country illegally.
Illegal immigration was the centerpiece of Mr. Trumps presidential campaign, drawing large crowds as he promised to build a border wall and deport millions in the country illegally. But security experts said the country faces a number of continuing threats ranging from domestic terrorists to attacks from political extremists and cyberattacks against the nations election systems that demand the full attention of the Department of Homeland Security.
John Kelly and his staff have a wide portfolio, said Tom Ridge, who served as the first Homeland Security secretary, under President George W. Bush. I hope the White House realizes that they have an enormous job in protecting the border and the nations infrastructure from cyberattacks. They cant be used just to keep campaign promises.
The budget proposal Mr. Trump submitted to Congress prioritizes agencies and programs that target illegal immigration.
Under the plan, funding would increase just over 21 percent for Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of the Border Patrol. Much of the increase would be used to build a border wall. But the agency would also be charged with hiring 5,000 new Border Patrol agents, even as the number of people crossing the border illegally has declined. Last month, 21,659 border crossers were caught, compared with 45,722 in June 2016, a 53 percent decrease.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcements budget would increase even more, nearly 30 percent. The new funding would pay for more deportation officers, detention centers and money to fly or bus unauthorized immigrants back to their home countries.
But other services and programs within Homeland Security would have their funding cut. The proposed budget includes cuts to the Coast Guard, elimination of the Transportation Security Administrations teams of uniformed armed officers that sweep public facilities and shutdowns of several of the departments national labs, including one in New York City that helps detect nuclear radiation. Several grant programs that pay for local police officers in airports or those that fight extremism would be cut or reprogrammed.
For example, Life After Hate, a group that works to deradicalize neo-Nazis and members of white supremacist groups, was slated to get $400,000 in the final days of the Obama administration. But Homeland Security canceled funding to the group in favor of groups and law enforcement agencies that target Muslim extremists.
Cutting grant programs that combat domestic extremism is a mistake when attacks by white supremacist and other hate groups are on the rise, said Erroll Southers, a former F.B.I. agent who is the director of a program at the University of Southern California that studies homegrown extremism.
You cant just focus on threats by ISIS or other groups, although its important, he said, referring to the Islamic State. But there are real threats here at home that have to be addressed.
Mr. Hoffman, the Homeland Security spokesman, said that the agencys critics were misguided and that their criticism did not reflect the day-to-day operation of the department.
We're not out there talking about cybersecurity, T.S.A., FEMA and other issues every day, but the focus is on it every day, he said. All the components and agencies are sufficiently funded to do their jobs.
Senator Kamala Harris, Democrat of California, a frequent critic of the department, said the White House bore a large share of the blame for what she considered the agencys overemphasis on targeting immigrants who were in the country illegally but posed little threat.
But she said Mr. Kelly should also be held accountable for the agencys immigration priorities. Ms. Harris was one of nearly a dozen Democratic senators who did not vote to confirm him.
During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Kelly came across as this person who would be a moderating voice in the Trump administration, someone who would speak truth to power, said Ms. Harris, a member of the Homeland Security Committee. But thats not what were seeing from him as secretary of Homeland Security. Under him, this agency has seemed eager to carry out the destructive immigration policies of this administration.
Leon E. Panetta, a former director of the C.I.A. and secretary of defense, said Mr. Kelly was simply following orders.
John Kelly is being a good Marine, Mr. Panetta said. He was loyal to me, and hes loyal to his commander in chief. I dont think some of the things the department is doing reflect the views of John Kelly.
Get politics and Washington news updates via Facebook, Twitter and in the Morning Briefing newsletter.
A version of this article appears in print on July 14, 2017, on Page A13 of the New York edition with the headline: Single-Minded at Homeland Security.
View original post here:
Job One at Homeland Security Under Trump: Immigration - New York Times
- The Washington Post Needs to Get its Facts Straight Regarding Illegal Aliens and Social Security - Federation for American Immigration Reform - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- 960 Illegal Aliens Charged with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Fourth Week in March - Texas Border Business - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Mayor Donna Deegan and others speak at press conference concerning Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Act - The Florida Times-Union - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- 960 Illegal Aliens Charged With Immigration-Related Crimes In A Week - RTTNews - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Erdogans Turkey is Weaponizing Illegal Immigration Europe Must Wake Up - The Times of Israel - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- U.S. Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration: Follow the Law and You Will Find Opportunity - US Embassy in Montenegro - USEmbassy.gov - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Deegan says she is reviewing illegal immigration bill before signing it. But councilman says shes making excuses - WJXT News4JAX - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Labour has changed precisely nothing on illegal immigration - The Telegraph - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Cleveland attorney says green card application pause 'has nothing to do with illegal immigration' - ideastream - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Sanders recognizes Trumps efforts on border, fentanyl: Nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate - The Hill - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Federal authorities charge over 800 illegal aliens with immigration crimes in just 1 week - Fox News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- US Embassy in Morocco Warns Against Illegal Immigration Amid Tightened Visa Policies - Morocco World News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Navy deploys additional warship to curb illegal immigration, drug smuggling at the southern border - Fox News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Trump Administration Plans Military Buffer Zone Along the Southern Border to Deter Illegal Immigration - Federation for American Immigration Reform - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Praise to Trump for Cracking Down on Illegal Immigration - American Family Association - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Dominican Immigration Authorities and Transport Sector unite against illegal immigration - Dominican Today - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- How state lawmakers are trying to crack down on illegal immigration - The Texas Tribune - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Exclusive | Trump border czar Tom Homan heads to Albany to call out NY Dems over pro-illegal immigration policies - New York Post - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Exclusive | Trump border czar Tom Homan heads to Albany to call out NY Dems over pro-illegal immigration policies - New York Post - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- ICE San Diego arrests violent criminal illegal alien convicted of attempted murder after reentering the US over 7 times - U.S. Immigration and Customs... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- ICE San Diego arrests violent criminal illegal alien convicted of attempted murder after reentering the US over 7 times - U.S. Immigration and Customs... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- 4 illegal aliens charged with firearms offenses as a result of an ICE Las Cruces and ATF investigation - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- ICE apprehends illegal alien with ties to Nicaraguan massacre and Mexican drug cartel - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Idaho Senate moves ahead with criminalizing illegal immigration - Boise State Public Radio - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Idaho Senate moves ahead with criminalizing illegal immigration - Boise State Public Radio - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Illegal immigration crackdown: Detention facilities are now full - Seeking Alpha - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Illegal immigration crackdown: Detention facilities are now full - Seeking Alpha - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Mass Illegal Immigration Leads to Tragedies Like the Williams Kids - Sacramento Observer - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Mass Illegal Immigration Leads to Tragedies Like the Williams Kids - Sacramento Observer - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Kerala's Ernakulam offers classes on safe migration, how to spot fake agencies, amid rise in illegal immigration: Report - Deccan Herald - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- WATCH: Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey Talks About Illegal Immigration Initiative to Assist Federal Agencies - SpaceCoastDaily.com - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- How Many Illegal Aliens Are in the United States? 2025 Update - Federation for American Immigration Reform - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- JD Vance touts Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration in Texas - CBS News - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- ICE forced to release some illegal migrants who could pose danger to Americans: immigration attorney - Fox News - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- More needed to stop illegal immigration - The Pantagraph - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Vance: Increases In Housing Linked To Increases In Illegal Immigration - The Daily Wire - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- DeSantis, Trump administration partner on cracking down on illegal immigration in Florida - Miami Herald - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Six-time deported gang member wanted for murder busted in Texas illegal immigration sting - Fox News - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Fact-checking the Trump White Houses claims about illegal immigration dropping sharply - PBS NewsHour - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- ICE, BP and law enforcement partners intercept human smuggling load that results in the arrest of 8 illegal aliens - U.S. Immigration and Customs... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- ICE arrests another illegal alien outside Northampton County Prison, following countys release and failure to honor immigration detainer - U.S.... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- ICE Boston arrests illegal Brazilian alien charged with raping Massachusetts resident - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 40 Chinese nationals repatriated from Thailand in joint crackdown on illegal immigration - Xinhua - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- All 67 of Floridas county sheriffs agree to work with ICE to crack down on illegal immigration - Florida Politics - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Kansas AG Kris Kobach says KBI agents will work with ICE on illegal immigration - The Topeka Capital-Journal - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- ICE Boston arrests illegal Guatemalan national charged with forcibly raping Massachusetts minor - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - February 18th, 2025 [February 18th, 2025]
- Texas and Trump boost cooperation to prevent illegal immigration at the U.S. - Mexico border - CBS News - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- ICE Washington, D.C. and FBI Washington, D.C. arrest 7 illegal aliens in Northern Virginia operation - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- ICE Seattle captures illegal aliens with histories of unlawful entries into the US - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- India, US commit to tackling illegal immigration, human trafficking: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri - The Tribune India - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Trump admin ends deportation protections for massive number of Venezuelans amid illegal immigration crackdown - Fox News - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Explained: India-US ties and the illegal immigration issue - The Indian Express - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Armstrong Williams | Will the government follow Trump's lead on illegal immigration? | Columns | tribdem.com - TribDem.com - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- ICE arrests top 5,500 in first week of Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration - ABC NEWS 4 - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Cracking Down on Illegal Immigration Would Raise Wages for Lower-Income Americans - Heritage.org - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- 'Newsom-proof California': Lawmaker proposes bill to strengthen fight against illegal immigration, trafficking - AOL - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Four Bangladeshi women arrested in Thane for illegal immigration - The Times of India - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Northwest Florida schools brace for possible ICE raids amid illegal immigration crackdown - WEAR - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Ending Illegal Immigration in the United States - Department of State - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Woolley Addresses Illegal Immigration with Bills to Protect Oklahoma Jobs, Track School Funds - Oklahoma House of Representatives - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Illegal Immigration and Fentanyl at the U.S. Northern and Southwest Borders - FactCheck.org - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Undocumented migrants in New York arrested in Trump crackdown on illegal immigration - NBC News - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Modi and Trump call: US president says India 'will do what's right' on illegal immigration - BBC.com - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- NGOs 'outrageously' profit from illegal immigration, former DHS advisor says - Fox News - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- DHS announces launch of new office for victims of illegal immigrant crime - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- MO Senate Hears Discussions Related To Illegal Immigration This Week - krmsradio.com - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- Planes carrying expelled migrants arrive in Latin America as US cracks down on illegal immigration - FRANCE 24 English - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- The Texas-Mexico border already seeing big changes to illegal immigration after Trump's executive or - CBS News - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Analysis of Trump Day 1 Executive Orders: Unconstitutional, Illegal, and Cruel - National Immigration Law Center - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- 'Not my job': Sheriff vows Las Vegas Police will not assist with Trump's illegal immigration 'roundups' - Fox News - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Indiana attorney general files lawsuit against sheriff for defying feds on illegal immigration - Fox News - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- The Texas-Mexico border already seeing big changes to illegal immigration after Trump's executive orders - MSN - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Bounty hunters: Proposed bill aims to curb illegal immigration with $1K rewards - Fox Baltimore - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Sen Ernst renews push for bill ending illegal immigration loophole as Congress takes action - Fox News - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- DeSantis Announces January Special Session to Aid Trump With Illegal Immigration - The Floridian - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Congress Takes First Step to Crack Down on Illegal Immigration - Concerned Women for America - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Red state AGs welcome Trump crackdown on illegal immigration after four years battling Biden - Fox News - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- What Trump Can Achieve on Illegal Immigration, and How - National Review - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Did Trumps win force Democrats to change course on illegal immigration? - Washington Examiner - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]
- Wyoming Sheriffs Team Up With ICE To Fight Illegal Immigration - Cowboy State Daily - January 13th, 2025 [January 13th, 2025]