ACLU Statement on Nomination of Director of U. S. Citizenship And Immigration Services

WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the nomination of Lee Francis Cissna tomorrow as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns at the American Civil Liberties Union, issued the following statement:

“While providing ‘technical assistance’ to the Trump transition, Cissna had a direct role in the administration’s executive orders on the travel ban, sanctuary city crackdown, mass deportation, and the leaked draft of an executive order ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The appointment of any official who assisted in the formulation of discriminatory immigration policies should be deeply concerning to the American people.

“As director of USCIS, Cissna would be in charge of thousands of employees with a budget of over $3.5 billion. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 requires the director of USCIS to have 5 years of management experience. Yet, Cissna was nominated to this position with zero management experience. He is fundamentally unqualified for this position.

“Cissna’s nomination is praised by staff of the Center for Immigration Studies, which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. We need public officials who will uphold the rights of all Americans and immigrants, no matter their background. The ACLU will watch Cissna closely to ensure our constitutional rights and protections are not violated.”