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April 15, 2019

Thompson, Cummings, Nadler Demand Documents on Trump Administration Plan to Treat Immigrant Families and Children as Pawns in Political Game

(WASHINGTON) - Three House Committee Chairs sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the White House requesting documents regarding a Trump Administration proposal to release detained immigrants into congressional districts represented by Democrats for purely political reasons. This letter follows the President’s acknowledgement that the Administration is actively considering this proposal and his claim that he has the “absolute legal right” to release immigrants into sanctuary cities across the country.

The letter was signed by House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, House Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah E. Cummings, and House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson. 

“We are deeply troubled by multiple reports, recently confirmed by the President, that the Trump Administration is considering releasing detained immigrants into congressional districts represented by Democrats in a bizarre and unlawful attempt to score political points,” the Chairmen wrote. “Not only does the Administration lack the legal authority to transfer detainees in this manner, it is shocking that the President and senior Administration officials are even considering manipulating release decisions for purely political reasons.”

The letter can be found here. and below:

Chief of Staff Mulvaney and Acting Secretary McAleenan:

We are deeply troubled by multiple reports, recently confirmed by the President, that the Trump Administration is considering releasing detained immigrants into congressional districts represented by Democrats in a bizarre and unlawful attempt to score political points.  According to these reports, senior White House officials contacted officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about transferring and eventually releasing detainees from facilities across the country into Democratic congressional districts.  This proposal was considered at least twice in the last six months, and the President confirmed on April 12, 2019, that the proposal is once again being given “strong considerations.”

Among other things, we learned that the plan appears to have been specifically designed to target Democratic districts: “[t]he White House told U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that the plan … served to send a message to Democrats;” and that a person familiar with the plan suggested “that releasing the immigrants into the sanctuary cities would be a way of punishing Democrats for resisting budget requests for more money to detain undocumented immigrants.” We also learned “[t]he sanctuary city proposal ran contrary to ICE policy guidelines, as well as legal counsel” and that White House senior adviser Stephen Miller  “urged senior DHS officials to make the plan a reality” and “was angered that department lawyers refused to produce legal guidance that would make the plan viable.”

These reports are alarming.  Not only does the Administration lack the legal authority to transfer detainees in this manner, it is shocking that the President and senior Administration officials are even considering manipulating release decisions for purely political reasons.  Given the gravity of this matter, we respectfully request that you provide, for the date range of November 1, 2018, through April 15, 2019, the following documents:

  1. Emails and other communications between White House officials and DHS officials, including officials of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), concerning the transfer or release, or potential transfer or release, of immigration detainees to or in specific locations or areas within the United States.
  2. Emails and other communications between DHS officials concerning the transfer or release, or potential transfer or release, of immigration detainees to or in specific locations or areas within the United States.
  3. Emails and other communications between DHS officials and ICE officials concerning the transfer or release, or potential transfer or release, of immigration detainees to or in specific locations or areas within the United States.   
  4. All DHS document, memorandum and other materials, including drafts thereof, discussing policy or legal justifications or implications for the transfer or release of immigration detainees to or in specific locations or areas within the United States.   

Please provide these documents by no later than May 3, 2019. 

The Committee on the Judiciary has jurisdiction under House Rule X over all immigration policy and non-border enforcement. The Committee on Oversight and Reform is the principal oversight committee of the House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.  The Committee on Homeland Security has jurisdiction under House Rule X over homeland security policy and the organization, administration, and general management of the Department of Homeland Security. 

An attachment to this letter provides additional instructions for responding to the Committees’ document request.  If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact Judiciary Committee staff at (202) 225-395, Oversight Committee staff at (202) 225-5051, or Committee on Homeland Security staff at (202) 226-2616.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

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Media contacts: 
(Judiciary) Shadawn Reddick-Smith 202-225-3951
(Judiciary) Daniel Schwarz 202-225-5635
(Oversight) Aryele Bradford 202-226-5181
(Homeland Security) Adam Comis 202-225-9978