The following media release was shared on Monday by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus:
SAN ANTONIO— Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen’s resignation and appointment of Kevin McAleenan as Acting Secretary:
“Secretary Nielsen spent her tenure as DHS Secretary championing President Trump’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda. Under her watch, children died and thousands of families were torn apart. Pregnant women were shackled and multiple suffered miscarriages. She lied to Congress about her Department’s actions and intentions, and misled the American people about the atrocities they were committing. That is why many CHC members had called on her to step down. Her resignation today adds to the chaos that this Administration has purposefully created to justify the President’s border wall.
“The appointment of Kevin McAleenan as Acting Secretary is deeply disturbing, as he has also helped implement President Trump’s agenda as CBP Commissioner and I have no doubt that he will continue to do so as Acting Secretary. I had previously called for his resignation after he failed to notify Congress about the death of a child at the hands of CBP; given his track record, my position has not changed. He cannot be trusted as Acting DHS Secretary based on his record of prioritizing Trump’s harmful policies that undermine national security and the economy, and hurt vulnerable families and children at the border. The Hispanic Caucus will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for its actions against immigrants and against the will of the American people.”
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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.
