Breaking story from the Washington Post last night: Kirstjen Nielsen and ICE official Ronald Vitiello were purged shortly after they objected to a secret White House plan to arrest thousands of migrant parents and children in a blitz operation in 10 major U.S. cities.
And get this: They didn't object on ethical grounds. They just thought it was too hard to coordinate the logistics. They thought ICE agents weren't prepared, it would drain resources from the border, and it would create public outrage.
The sprawling operation included an effort to fast-track immigration court cases, allowing the government to obtain deportation orders against those who did not show for their hearings — officials said 90 percent of those targeted were found deportable in their absence. The subsequent arrests would have required coordinated raids against parents with children in their homes and neighborhoods.
Stephen Miller was especially supportive of the plan (big shocker there), and wanted dramatic, highly visible mass arrests that would deter migrants from coming here.
The plan is still under construction, and is considered a first step to arresting as many as 10,000 migrants.
Lots more detail, go read the story.
