Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen hit back on Sunday against “irresponsible and unproductive” misreporting by the media on the Trump administration’s border policies.
“This misreporting by Members, press & advocacy groups must stop,” tweeted Nielsen. “It is irresponsible and unproductive. As I have said many times before, if you are seeking asylum for your family, there is no reason to break the law and illegally cross between ports of entry.”
This misreporting by Members, press & advocacy groups must stop. It is irresponsible and unproductive. As I have said many times before, if you are seeking asylum for your family, there is no reason to break the law and illegally cross between ports of entry.
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) June 17, 2018
“You are not breaking the law by seeking asylum at a port of entry,” she continued. “For those seeking asylum at ports of entry, we have continued the policy from previous Administrations and will only separate if the child is in danger, there is no custodial relationship between ‘family’ members, or if the adult has broken a law.”
You are not breaking the law by seeking asylum at a port of entry.
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) June 17, 2018
For those seeking asylum at ports of entry, we have continued the policy from previous Administrations and will only separate if the child is in danger, there is no custodial relationship between ‘family’ members, or if the adult has broken a law.
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) June 17, 2018
Nielsen finished her series of tweets by stating how “seriously” her department takes its “duty to protect minors in our temporary custody from gangs, traffickers, criminals, and abuse.”
DHS takes very seriously its duty to protect minors in our temporary custody from gangs, traffickers, criminals and abuse.
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) June 17, 2018
As for illegal immigrants who choose to bypass those ports of entry, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced his department’s intention to criminally prosecute lawbreakers. “If you don’t like that, then don’t smuggle children over our border,” Sessions said earlier this year. (RELATED: Jeff Sessions Puts Illegal Immigrants On Notice With Tough-As-Nails Border Policy)
President Trump on Friday blamed Democrats and their “horrible and cruel legislative agenda” for the policy.
“The Democrats are forcing the breakup of families at the Border with their horrible and cruel legislative agenda. Any Immigration Bill MUST HAVE full funding for the Wall, end Catch & Release, Visa Lottery and Chain, and go to Merit Based Immigration. Go for it! WIN!” Trump tweeted. (RELATED: Trump Rips Into Democrats Over Border Separations: ‘This Is Why We Need More Republicans’)
The Democrats are forcing the breakup of families at the Border with their horrible and cruel legislative agenda. Any Immigration Bill MUST HAVE full funding for the Wall, end Catch & Release, Visa Lottery and Chain, and go to Merit Based Immigration. Go for it! WIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2018