Border Czar's Backyard

Ken Cuccinelli, a former Trump administration official who served as acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, allegedly pressured career officials at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport a naturalized U.S. citizen he believed was involved in a shooting in Virginia. The incident occurred in 2020 and involved a legal immigrant, later a naturalized citizen, suspected in a drive-by shooting of a vehicle with children inside. Cuccinelli, reportedly frustrated by local law enforcement's handling of the case, contacted ICE officials and advocated for the man's deportation despite the lack of a criminal conviction. He allegedly argued the individual posed a threat to public safety. ICE officials, concerned about the legality of such an action without due process or a conviction, reportedly resisted Cuccinelli's pressure. They sought legal advice and ultimately did not proceed with deportation. The individual in question was eventually convicted of a lesser offense related to the incident, but not the original shooting charges. The episode highlights concerns about political interference in law enforcement decisions and the potential misuse of immigration laws for political purposes during the Trump administration. It also raises questions about the boundaries of executive power within federal agencies. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-border-czar-tried-deport-212424822.html