The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced significant job cuts in divisions responsible for civil rights oversight. This decision aligns with a broader reduction in force initiative mandated by the federal government.
According to a DHS spokesperson, the offices affected include 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.
“These offices have hindered immigration enforcement by implementing bureaucratic obstacles that conflict with the department’s mission,” stated the spokesperson. “Instead of aiding law enforcement, they often act as internal challengers, impeding operational efficiency.”
The roles of the ombudsman offices are critical as they provide oversight of the DHS immigration processes, specifically addressing issues related to detention and facilitating resolution for individuals seeking immigration-related benefits.
“While DHS is dedicated to protecting civil rights, it is essential to streamline oversight to eliminate enforcement roadblocks,” the spokesperson emphasized. “These layoffs ensure that taxpayer funds are directed towards the Department’s fundamental objectives: border security and immigration enforcement.”
In response to a White House directive, federal agencies are revising their workforce as part of a nation-wide effort to reduce bureaucratic expenses. This latest round of layoffs follows an earlier effort in February, which saw 405 employees from DHS let go across various departments such as cybersecurity and disaster response. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was impacted with a reduction of fewer than 50 positions.
Before these cuts, Democratic senators, who oversee immigration matters, sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security expressing concerns over potential reductions to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, stressing its legally mandated role.
“Eliminating the CRCL office or significantly reducing its workforce will jeopardize DHS’s compliance with statutory obligations and its commitment to safeguarding the civil rights and liberties of all Americans,” wrote Senators Gary Peters and Dick Durbin.
