CHC Statement on Chad Wolf Senate Confirmation and Naming as Acting DHS Secretary by President Trump

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement on the Senate's confirmation of Chad Wolf to the role of Under Secretary of Strategy, Policy and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and President Trump naming Wolf as Acting Secretary of DHS:

"The Senate's confirmation of Chad Wolf today has all but ensured the absence of real leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. Wolf will be the fifth person in less than three years to lead the Department. Meanwhile, acting directors are serving at DHS across critical agencies including ICE, USCIS, CBP, and FEMA. President Trump is intentionally circumventing Congress in order to install temporary leadership at DHS to further his cruel agenda against immigrant families and the Latino community.

"Chad Wolf is no exception to this pattern. As Chief of Staff to Kristjen Nilsen, Wolf orchestrated the zero tolerance policy that tore thousands of families apart and inflicted life-long trauma on children. The policies imposed under his guidance have enforced unimaginable pain and suffering on vulnerable migrant families. Chad Wolf cannot be trusted to lead DHS given his troubling track record.

"The fundamental mission of DHS is to protect our national security, a responsibility that multiple Acting Secretaries have neglected in favor of demonizing immigrants. Moving forward, our Hispanic Caucus will continue to hold Chad Wolf and the Trump Administration accountable for their actions. It's time to return to our American values, prioritize our national security over President Trump's xenophobic agenda, and recommit to treating immigrants with dignity and respect."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.