Kirstjen Nielsen Sworn in as DHS Secretary

On December 6, 2017, Kirstjen Nielsen was sworn in as the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary. Ms. Nielsen’s hiring comes months after former DHS Secretary John Kelly left his post to take the position as President Trump’s Chief of Staff. Ms. Nielsen has made statements to the press indicating that her focus is on protecting America from threats and that she will concentrate on immigration enforcement.

Kirstjen Nielsen Confirmed and Sworn in 06.Dec.2017

On December 5, 2017, the Senate confirmed Kirstjen Nielsen as the new DHS Secretary by a wide margin of 62 to 37. After officially being sworn in on December 6, 2017, Ms. Nielsen immediately assumed the role from Elaine Duke, who had assumed the role in a temporary capacity since John Kelly’s departure in August 2017.

Neilsen’s Background and Qualifications

Nielsen has a background in cybersecurity and previously worked at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and as an adviser to the White House for emergency preparedness and disaster management during the George W. Bush Administration.

More recently, Nielsen acted as deputy to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, and before that worked as his chief of staff during his time as DHS Secretary.

Conclusion

The DHS is made up of 22 agencies, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Each of these agencies is integral to U.S. immigration law and policy. As DHS Secretary, Nielsen is likely to have a significant impact on the implementation and formation of U.S. immigration policy.

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