Stephen Miller wants Trump to oust more top Homeland Security officials

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Trump administration officials say Miller, who played a key role in ousting Nielsen, also wants the president to dismiss the director of US citizenship and immigration services. Lee Cissna, and the department's general counsel, John Mitnick.

A senior administration official also said that under the law, DHS Under-Secretary of Management, Claire Grady, the current acting undersecretary, was to take over from the Acting Secretary. This means that there are questions as to whether she should also be fired to be the Acting Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, Kevin McAleenan, Acting Secretary of DHS, as pointed out. Trump Sunday night.

Miller's increased influence within the West Wing was facilitated by the President, who recently confided to his associates at an Oval Office meeting that Miller was responsible for all related issues to immigration and the border at the White House, according to a person familiar with the meeting.

Miller has always been, informally, one of the leading voices for immigration in the West Wing. But this change formalizes this role and also gives it the opportunity to convene and chair meetings on immigration issues. This change was reported for the first time by the Washington Post.

This sudden shift in staff is indicative of the White House's desire to reorient its immigration policy after a wave of apprehensions from migrants on the southern border in recent months.

The president has lobbied in recent weeks to restore the policy of separation of families, which Nielsen had resisted, said a source familiar with the discussions. Trump overturned the policy despite public outrage and scrutiny of courts last summer.

Kirstjen Nielsen just kicked out of the most impossible job in Trump's Washington

In addition, after Trump retracted his threat to close the US-Mexico border and congratulated Mexico for taking additional measures to stem the flow of immigrants, the president has since taken a certain turn. By the end of the week, Trump was once again frustrated with the border problems, dissatisfied with Mexico's failure to do enough, and was looking for its staff to take tougher action to solve the problem.

The changes left the department in limbo, where at least three positions were filled by people in acting leadership positions.

Late last week, the White House abruptly withdrew the nomination of Ron Vitiello as Director of Immigration and Customs, which surprised Congress and the department. Nielsen was not aware of what was going on until the bid was withdrawn, said a person familiar with the news.

RELATED: It may take two years to identify thousands of separated families, says government

Asked about the atmosphere at DHS after Nielsen's resignation, a DHS official told CNN that there was "some exasperation," adding that the department was "not deep enough" to fill the gaps. long-standing vacancies.

"We are losing our leadership faster than we can confirm or even permanently hire," said the manager.

CNN's Evan Perez contributed to this report.

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