DHS Memo Suggests Kirstjen Nielsen Misled Congress About Family Separation – Should She Be Investigated?

What’s the story?

• A memo signed by Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen contradicts statements she made to Congress and the American people that the Trump administration did not have a policy of separating children from parents.
• Read the memo here.

What’s in the memo?

• The April 23 memo, obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request by Open the Government and the Project on Government Oversight, outlines a series of options presented to Nielsen of how to execute the Justice Department’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.
• Nielsen signed off on the option to prosecute and separate those “presenting with a family unit, between ports of entry in coordination with DOJ.” The memo states the effect of prosecuting every adult at the border would result in children being separated from their parents.

“DHS could also permissibly direct the separation of parents or legal guardians and minors held in immigration detention so that the parent or legal guardian can be prosecuted.”

What comments did Nielsen make at the time of the separations?

• On May 10, she told NPR: “It’s not our intent to separate people one day longer than is necessary to prove that there is in fact a custodial relationship.”
• On May 15, under questioning by California Democrat Sen. Kamala Harris of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Nielsen stated: “We do not have a policy to separate children from their parents.”
• On June 17, she tweeted: “We do not have a policy of separating families at the border. Period.”

What do you think?

Should Congress investigate Nielsen’s apparently false claims? Should Nielsen resign? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: DHS via Flickr)