GAO Alleges DHS Violated Succession Rules

Thursday, August 20, 2020

A latest non-binding report by the Authorities Accountability Workplace (GAO) discovered the appointments of Kevin McAleenan and Chad Wolf (each as “appearing” DHS Secretaries) and Ken Cuccinelli (senior official performing the duties of the deputy secretary) violated the governing federal and DHS succession guidelines as a result of they weren’t eligible for the positions they occupy.

The GAO didn’t decide who must be in these roles or whether or not any actions taken by the present management are invalid. These questions have been referred to the DHS Workplace of Inspector Normal.

The rapidity and breadth of the Trump Administration’s adjustments to immigration insurance policies, notably up to now yr, have felt a bit like being in warp pace on a star cruiser. The speedy governmental adjustments to long-standing immigration insurance policies, with out legislative enter or a regulatory course of, have come underneath hearth as opponents problem the validity of those strikes. The GAO has given further ammunition to particular person plaintiffs and advocacy teams who search to argue that the insurance policies are invalid.

Within the meantime, in March 2020, a District Courtroom in D.C. dominated that as a result of Cuccinelli had been illegally appointed, the 2 insurance policies he applied, which additional complicate the method of making use of for asylum, have been invalid. The Administration initially appealed the choice, however on August 14, 2020 – simply because the GAO launched its report – the attraction was withdrawn in a victory for the plaintiffs and asylum seekers.

It seems like one other asylum-related coverage additionally could also be invalidated. The rule scheduled to take impact on August 25, 2020, would forestall asylum-seekers who don’t enter the U.S. at designated ports of entry from acquiring work authorization whereas they wait for his or her asylum determinations, absent a particular exhibiting of “good trigger.” As a result of asylum instances can take years to adjudicate, this proposed rule would financially cripple many asylum seekers and hinder their capability to help themselves or their households. The Maryland District Courtroom choose in that case stated the GAO report “aligns carefully together with her studying of the regulation and considering on the plaintiffs’ argument that Wolf and his predecessor, Kevin McAleenan … have been improperly appointed.”

If the GAO’s report is upheld, it will imply that insurance policies issued by DHS within the final year-and-a-half could possibly be topic to problem and probably invalidated. In keeping with the GAO, Kirstjen Nielsen, who resigned from her publish in April 2019, was the final DHS Secretary to be correctly appointed. President Donald, Trump, who’s keen on “appearing” officers due to the pliability he has over their tenures, might but need to submit nominees to Senate affirmation hearings.

Any actions taken by DHS or USCIS by McAleenan, Wolf, or Cuccinelli, or underneath their course, could possibly be challenged on this rating, together with: DHS’ failure to simply accept new DACA purposes in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Courtroom ruling, upcoming USCIS payment will increase, the Public Cost rule, adjustments within the therapy of F-1 college students, and coverage adjustments round H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrant visas, amongst many others.

The Administration has responded that the GAO report is “baffling and baseless.” The GAO stated it “stands by its resolution.” Additional litigation is predicted on this subject, however, given the appeals course of, there will not be any ultimate choices previous to the November election.