DHS officials demonstrate unity in the midst of the tumult



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On his last day as head of the Department of Homeland Security, Nielsen hosted staff in St. Elizabeth, in southeastern Washington, a campus that once served as the "government hospital for the insane."

"This move has been going on for a very long time, we are six secretaries and we are finally moving in," she said. "It took so long, in fact, honestly, I did not know if I would still be secretary when we got here, but I just did it," she added to laugh at the 39; audience.

The forced resignation of Nielsen on Sunday night caused a shock wave in one of the largest federal departments, prompting questions about who would be next.

Three days later, more than 100 agency staff met on a windy spring afternoon. Shortly before the ceremony, some agency leaders, some of whom would have been ousted soon, mingled with each other. In ordinary times, interactions would be collegiate. But on Wednesday, they carried extra weight.

Kevin McAleenan, who badumes interim DHS, headed to Lee Francis Cissna, director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, who thought he was next on the block, and the only one on the block. congratulated. McAleenan was also seen in conversation with outgoing Secret Service director Randolph "Tex" Alles, whose dismissal had surprised intelligence officials.
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Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis David Glawe was also present, along with Ron Vitiello, Acting Chief of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose appointment as Director of that agency had been abruptly withdrawn by the White House last week. Prior to the ceremony, Vitiello sent an email to employees informing them that Friday would be his last day as acting director.
All the underlying tension was masked by the applause received on his arrival and during his remarks. Claire Grady, acting MP for Homeland Security, whose resignation was announced Tuesday night, introduced the outgoing secretary, listing a series of Nielsen achievements.

"It's really a historic day, a long time coming.We finally have a headquarters that the department deserves.I'm a strong advocate for years.I'm proud to have actually moved into the city. building, "said Grady.

The TSA administrator should temporarily occupy the second role in Homeland Security

Nielsen began his speech by referring to his time spent in the department. "As some of you know, I started at DHS before there was one." A TSA, the agency created by Congress after the tragic events of the 11 September, to protect the security of commercial aviation, "she said. recent events, including the rise of apprehensions at the US border.

"Although this is a difficult year for the ministry, we are at the heart of a humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border," Nielsen said. "In my opinion, we have responded with unprecedented efforts to secure the borders of our country, put an end to illegal immigration, stop the flow of illicit drugs, stop people from violating the laws of our country. . "

The administration said on Tuesday that the monthly arrests at the US-Mexico border were the highest since 2007.
The influx of migrants angered President Donald Trump. In recent weeks, the president has authorized White House senior advisor Stephen Miller to lead the government's border policies "and he is executing his plan" with what amounts to a total decapitation of the department's leadership, a responsible to CNN. Miller played a key role in ousting Nielsen.

Nielsen expressed confidence in McAleenan, who recently served as the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. "It will do very well for the department," she said.

Headquarters employees will move to the new facilities throughout the month of April. The structure of their leadership throughout this transition remains in question.

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