Statement on Resignation of Secretary Nielsen
New York City—In response to the resignation of Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, Human Rights First’s Eleanor Acer issued the following statement:
Secretary Nielsen has been the public face of some of the most extreme immigration policies in this nation’s history—ones that are designed to demonize and dehumanize those seeking protection, and to gut our refugee and asylum systems. It is ludicrous, therefore, that Nielsen was asked to resign for not being severe enough in carrying out this administration’s destructive policies.
As the administration ramps up its campaign to decimate life-saving protections for refugees and searches for a successor to lead the Department of Homeland Security, it is more essential than ever for Congress to provide robust oversight. We look forward to working with lawmakers to ensure that the Trump Administration is not allowed to betray our history, our nation’s character, and our humanity.
