Grassley warns White House not to oust top immigration officials

The highest-ranking Republican Senate warned the White House not to oust another senior immigration official, calling on the administration not to send Lee Francis Cissna, director of US services to the US. citizenship and immigration, amid a purge of the leaders of homeland security.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said he was "very, very concerned" by reports that Cissna may be the next speaker in a series of quick shot that started at the end of last week. the White House suddenly withdrew the candidacy of Ronald Vitiello, who had been appointed to the direction of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"First, they are good officials," Grassley said Monday night after rumors of Cissna's potential exit filtered through the day. "Secondly, in addition to the personal connection I have with them and their qualifications, they form the intellectual basis of what the President wants to accomplish in the field of immigration."

Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary of Homeland Security, resigned after privately speaking with Trump on Sunday, and the White House announced Monday that Randolph "Tex" Alles, director of the secret service, would leave his post "on little". Cissna and DHS officials Advocate General John Mitnick may be the next to leave, according to ministry officials.

Grassley had previously worked closely with Cissna, who had been commissioned by the administration to sit on the Judiciary Committee of the Senate under the presidency of Republican Iowa. Other Grassley alumni hold senior positions at the citizenship agency, including Kathy Nuebel Kovarik, head of the USCIS Bureau of Policy and Strategy.

"The president needs to have some stability, especially in dealing with the number one problem he's created for his campaign, throughout his two and a half years presiding," Grassley said. "He is removing the rug from the very ones who are trying to help him reach his goal."

Earlier on Monday, Grassley said he had texted Mick Mulvaney, the White House's acting chief of staff, to voice concerns about Cissna's possible departure. Once the two men are on the phone, Mulvaney said that he would look into the matter, according to Grassley.

"He did not seem to know who I was talking about," recalls Grassley, whose key collaborators also discussed these issues with senior White House officials. When asked if he wanted to speak directly to Trump, Grassley replied, "I'll see if it's necessary."

Grassley also said he relied on Fox News – Trump's favorite cable news channel – to publicize his point of view. Cissna was confirmed in October 2017 by 54 votes to 43.

The GOP senator also criticized Stephen Miller, a senior White House advisor who was one of the key voices in the administration lobbying for the wholesale cleanup of DHS.

"I think it would be difficult for him to demonstrate that he has accomplished something for the president," Grassley said. When asked to clarify his point of view, the senator chuckled and added, "It is quite difficult to explain that when there have been no achievements."