This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
Published on October 12, 2019, Kevin McAleenan's resignation as acting US Homeland Security Secretary has sparked controversy amidst ongoing immigration policy debates.
According to sources, McAleenan clashed with White House officials, including Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller, over personnel decisions and harsh language used by agency officials installed by the White House.
McAleenan's departure may necessitate additional changes for the White House to appoint a person of the president's choosing, as the Vacancies Act stipulates that the position of secretary must go to certain ranked officials in the department.
McAleenan's tenure was marked by disagreements with the White House over immigration policies, including the installation of Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II to lead the agency that manages legal immigration and Mark Morgan to oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson criticized the department's turnover, stating,
