Washington —The Trump administration has announced a reduction in force affecting the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman within the Department of Homeland Security. This action is set to significantly diminish the department’s services related to civil rights and immigration advocacy.
The DHS stated these offices “frequently act as internal adversaries that hinder operations.” The decision was first reported by Migrant Insider.
The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties provides guidance to the department on issues concerning civil liberties and rights, while also investigating and addressing complaints. The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman assists individuals filing complaints regarding potential breaches of immigration detention standards or concerns about DHS or contract personnel. Additionally, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman helps both employers and individuals facing challenges with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“These offices have impeded immigration enforcement by introducing bureaucratic obstacles and detracting from DHS’s mission,” stated DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. “Instead of bolstering law enforcement efforts, they often serve as internal opponents that decelerate operations.”
“DHS is dedicated to upholding civil rights protections but needs to streamline oversight to eliminate barriers to enforcement. These reductions guarantee that taxpayer funds are directed toward the Department’s primary mission: ensuring border security and effective immigration enforcement.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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