Oh Snap!
If this IS REAL?
I wonder if it will be allowed to continue?
Or will Trump & Co. seek to railroad it?
If left to run independently?
(I Doubt it)
It could actually help the Trump Admin deal with the negatives they are getting in their immigration actions….
It has to worry some of the ICE and CBP aggressive members if left to continue….
The Department of Homeland Security’s independent watchdog disclosed numerous investigations into the department on Thursday as the White House faces heightened scrutiny over its nationwide immigration crackdown.
The probes, some of which have previously been disclosed, span ICE’s hiring surge, expedited removal of individuals, use of force and compliance with detention standards. An additional review pertains to “DHS’ processes for determining U.S. citizenship for individuals detained or arrested during immigration enforcement operations.”
The inspector general’s office is also conducting a probe into Customs and Border Patrol. The investigation — which is reviewing whether CBP conducts interior immigration enforcement in accordance with department policies and federal requirements — was opened in early January, according to a spokesperson for the DHS OIG
The spate of investigations comes as the Trump administration faces an uproarfrom Democrats and a growing number of Republicans over its immigration enforcement operations in several states, which have at times turned violent. Senate Democrats are currently holding up DHS funding over a list of demands for reforms to ICE and CBP, including requirements that federal officers wear body cameras and IDs. The administration has also refused to budge on a demand that immigration enforcement agents do not wear masks.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the probes, writing in a statement that “the supposed number of ongoing matters doesn’t say anything about their disposition or the facts.”…
…
President Donald Trump purged independent watchdogs for several government agencies during the first month of his second term, but Joseph Cuffari — the inspector general for DHS nominated by Trump during his first term — remains in place.
Dozens of congressional Democrats wrote last week to Cuffari urging him to expedite his probe into “whether ICE investigates allegations of use of excessive force,” which his office opened in June.
In a Thursday statement, Cuffari’s office said the timeline for conducting an oversight review “is affected by several variables.” The office has an internal goal of completing audits within 397 days but routinely misses the benchmark, according to a report released by the Government Accountability Office last month.
“If, however, during our work we find matters that warrant immediate attention and action (such as those posing serious risk or imminent threat to safety, health, property, or continuity of operations), DHS OIG has mechanisms to promptly inform the Department and Congress, rather than waiting for a final report,” the office said….
…
House Democrats launch investigation into DHS use of ‘less lethal’ weapons after string of injuries…
Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee on Friday launched a probe into the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) arsenal of “less lethal” weapons, citing a string of serious injuries, including during protests over the death of Renee Good.
“It is clear that something is rotten at DHS, and law enforcement are using force— including ‘less-lethal’ force—in ways that put everyone at risk,” Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.), the top Democrat on the panel, wrote in a letter to DHS also signed by Reps. Lou Correa (D-Calif.) and Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.)….
…
“DHS’s lawless and aggressive enforcement operations throughout the country are proving just how dangerous less-lethal weapons can be, particularly when used improperly against those engaging in First Amendment activities.”
The letter demands DHS provide a full inventory of all less-lethal weapons, manufacturer instructions for their use, and copies of all use-of-force reports where such weapons were used by DHS personnel….
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.