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Kirstjen Nielsen

Kirstjen Michele Nielsen (b. May 14, 1972) is an American attorney, government official and national security expert who is the current United States Secretary of Homeland Security.

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this administration will not tolerate frivolous asylum claims or illegal entry.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

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There were a lot of things that, there were those in the administration who thought that we should do, and just as I spoke truth to power from the very beginning, it became clear that saying no, and refusing to do it Kirstjen Nielsen was not going to be enough, so it was time for me to offer my resignation.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 9 months ago Top News

What I've done, I've basically instituted a very traditional emergency response posture, so I'm pulling on all the departments in the federal government, asking them to fill those resources and ? see what we have because we have declared the emergency.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

The rate at which this crisis is evolving is tremendous, so we absolutely need additional resources, more than we can reprogram or otherwise use under executive authority without Congress.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

Right now, we have an emergency on our hands. We need to treat it as such.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

Our system and facilities were never structured to withstand the current influx of immigrants.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 1 year ago U.S.

The security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border is getting worse every day.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 1 year ago World

The projections are dire, our capacity is already severely strained, but these increases will overwhelm the system entirely. This is not a' manufactured' crisis. This is truly an emergency.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

Today I ask everyone to show leadership to stop the formation of the caravans that have brought crime, violence and instability to the region.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 1 year ago Top News

We hope the Ghanaian government will work with us to reconcile these deficiencies quickly.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 1 year ago World

We are also ensuring that criminals don't use these events to exploit the most vulnerable among us.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Top News

The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service are fully prepared to support and secure the State of the Union.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 1 year ago Politics

To be clear - participation in a caravan does not grant you a special status or provide you special treatment.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 1 year ago Top News

They either have travel patterns that are identified as terrorist travel patterns or they have known or suspected ties to terrorism.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

Those are aliens who the intel community has identified are of concern. They either have travel patterns that are identified as terrorist travel patterns or they have known or suspected ties to terrorism.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Top News

It's different than a fence in that it also has technology. It's a full wall system, it's a wall. This is what the President has asked us to do. It's part of a system.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

DHS will not tolerate this type of lawlessness and will not hesitate to shut down ports of entry for security and public safety reasons. We will also seek to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone who destroys federal property, endangers our front-line operators, or violates our nation's sovereignty.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago US News

We thank you for your partnership always. We greatly, greatly appreciate it, we are right there with you, we know you're with us and we greatly appreciate it. So thank you, each and every one of you.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Top News

( They) are proving to be quite violent. They are covering their faces, they are attacking the federal police there, attacking the military in Mexico, they are putting the migrants, who are in the caravan, who are seeking asylum, at risk.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Top News

We do not have any intention right now to shoot at people, but they will be apprehended, however, but I also take my officers and agents, their own personal safety, extraordinarily seriously. They do have the ability, of course, to defend themselves.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

We will absolutely not tolerate violence against border patrol in this situation, these are dedicated men and women risking their lives every day. I will not tolerate Mexicans or anybody else acting in a violent way towards our men and women on the border.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

Not only do I have no reason to believe that story, but everyone that I've asked including all involved assure me that did not occur.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

We are talking about every possible way that we can adjust the flows.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

Every measure we have tried, every measure we haven't tried, everything is on the table to make it very clear that we have a sovereign right to protect our citizens.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Top News

[ F ] irst and foremost, it's just a lack of facilities, we're out of space unfortunately given all of the increase in numbers.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

We've had a huge increase in families. ... What that means for us -- our facilities are out of space.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 1 year ago Politics

Lines of communication remain open and The Federal Government stands ready to assist.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Today, legal loopholes significantly hinder the Department's ability to appropriately detain and promptly remove family units that have no legal basis to remain in the country, this rule addresses one of the primary pull factors for illegal immigration and allows the federal government to enforce immigration laws as passed by Congress.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

I am pleased that President Trump intends to nominate Ronald Vitiello to serve as the Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, since assuming the role of Deputy Director in late June, Deputy Director in late June has made clear Deputy Director in late June commitment to support the men and women of ICE, and ensure they are well-positioned to meet the demands of their incredibly challenging jobs. Deputy Director Vitiello's leadership experience, combined with the unique perspective that comes from more than 30 years in law enforcement, makes Deputy Director Vitiello especially qualified to hold this important position.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and it has become clear that they are the target of our adversaries who seek... to sow discord and undermine our way of life.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Our democracy itself is in the crosshairs, we continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide the United States.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

National Risk Management Center will bring together government experts with willing industry partners so that they can influence how we support them, our goal is to simplify the process, to provide a single point of access to the full range of government activities to defend against cyberthreats.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Let me be clear : Our intelligence community has it right. It was the Russians. We know that. They know that. It was directed from the highest levels. And we can not and will not allow that to happen again.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Don't get me wrong, terrorists and criminals still pose a serious threat to our lives, and they are plotting against Americans daily. However, the' attack surface' in cyberspace is now broader and under more frequent assault.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Although no actual votes were changed in 2016 -- let me be clear in this -- any attempt to interfere in our elections is a direct attack on our democracy, it is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

We will not apologize for the job we do or for the job law enforcement does, for doing the job that the American people expect us to do, illegal actions have and must have consequences : no more free passes, no more get out-of-jail-free cards.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

This administration did not create a policy of separating families at the border, i find that offensive.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

I find that offensive.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Those who criticize the enforcement of our laws have offered only one countermeasure : open borders, the quick release of all illegal alien families and the decision not to enforce our laws, this policy would be disastrous.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Politics

This administration did not create a policy of separating families ... What has changed is that we no longer exempt entire classes of people who break the law.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago Top News

The ports of entry for those seeking asylum have been blocked, i went out there yesterday with a group of six other members of Congress. We saw the border guard standing there checking papers and only letting those across the bridge who already had visas to come into the United States, or American passports and so forth. They were blocking those who didn't have papers, who would be asserting themselves for asylum. So they're essentially forcing people to cross the border illegally or leave them stranded( on the) very dangerous Mexican side of the border.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Our policy at DHS is to do what we're sworn to do, which is to enforce the law.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

This administration did not create a policy of separating families. ... What has changed is that we no longer exempt entire classes of people who break the law.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago Top News

We have high standards. We give them meals and we give them education and we give them medical care. There are videos, there are TVs, i visited the detention centers myself.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

What my response would be is calling attention to this matter is important, this is a very serious issue that has resulted after years and years of Congress not taking action, so I would thank them both for their comments. I would thank them both for their concerns. I share their concerns. Congress is the one that needs to fix this.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

The children are not being used as a pawn, we're trying to protect the children, which is why I'm asking Congress to act.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

We need Congress to fully fund our ability to hold families together through the immigration process. And until these loopholes are closed by Congress, it is not possible as a matter of law to detain and remove whole family units who arrive illegally in the United States.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

I think the President is trying to find a long-term fix. So why don't we have Congress change the laws ?

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

Don't believe the press. They are very well taken care of.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago Top News

We will not apologize for the job we do or for the job law enforcement does for doing the job that the American people expect us to do, illegal actions have and must have consequences. No more free passes, no more get out of jail free cards.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

We are enforcing the laws passed by Congress, and we are doing all that we can in the executive branch to protect our communities. It is now time that Congress act to fix our broken immigration system, surely it is the beginning of the unraveling of democracy when the body who makes the laws, rather than changing them, asks the body who enforces the laws not to enforce the laws. That can not be the answer.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

My message to members is clear : You have a chance. If you want to secure our borders, if you want to keep gangs such as MS-13 out of our communities, if you want to address... if you want to restore the rule of law, you must close the legal loopholes, however, if Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen want to support a broken immigration system that harms the interest of Americans and Boarder Security and Crime, that rewards those who thumb their noses at our laws... then don't vote to fix the problem. It's a simple choice.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

It is important to note that these minors are very well taken care of -- don't believe the press -- they are very well taken care of.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

If you are seeking asylum, go to a port of entry.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

However, if Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen want to support a broken immigration system that harms the interest of Americans and Boarder Security and Crime, that rewards those who thumb their noses at our laws... then don't vote to fix the problem. It's a simple choice.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

As( GOP Rep. Steve Scalise) said, it is an issue that every one of the last four administration has faced. It is time to fix it.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

Border security is national security. Our Israeli partners know that better than anyone and I was fortunate today to see the incredible work they're doing to keep their territory and citizens safe.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago World

It’s a false choice to suggest you either support the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away, that is ridiculous.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Latest Headlines

I reject that premise. I do not believe we are divided. I believe that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us, and I know that to be true.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Latest Headlines

We see them continuing to conduct foreign influence campaigns.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago Top News

We need to be prepared.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago Top News

I don't believe that I have seen that conclusion... that the specific intent was to help Donald Trump win, i'm not aware of that, but I do generally have no reason to doubt any intelligence assessment.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Top News

I have not had a conversation with Ambassador Bolton about that particular issue.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Since John Bolton has come onto the job, John Bolton and I speak regularly.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

Our enemies are exploring other technologies, too, such as drones, to put our country in danger. ISIS has used armed drones to strike targets in Syria, and we are increasingly concerned that they will try the same tactic on our soil.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago Politics

I share his frustration, border security is the most basic and necessary responsibility of a sovereign nation. These are complex issues and I will continue to direct the Department to do all we can to implement the President’s security-focused agenda.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Politics

I assume they are just referring to business as usual and our ability to handle whatever work we are assigned.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago US News

DHS continues to monitor the remnants of the ‘caravan’ of individuals headed to our Southern border with the apparent intention of entering the United States illegally, a sovereign nation that cannot—or worse, chooses not—to defend its borders will soon cease to be a sovereign nation. The Trump administration is committed to enforcing our immigration laws – whether persons are part of this ‘caravan’ or not.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago U.S.

The 30-foot-high bollard-style wall is a massive upgrade, and exactly what the men and women of the Border Patrol have requested. It's not mere replacement, for dilapidated, ineffective low wall and vehicle barriers : It's a new wall and part of a wall system.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on CNN 2 years ago Politics

In other words, through trying to protect a citizen's privacy we eliminate the ability of many of the vendors and researchers who otherwise have access to data to see the trends in attacks.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on Reuters 2 years ago Politics

The urgency can not, however, be underscored, we will be doing this today, under the president's direction. I will continue my conversation with all four border governors, and we hope to have the path forward very much specified in the near future.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Latest Headlines

We will build this wall, so thank you for coming out today, we look forward to breaking ground very soon and securing our country.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Politics

Walls work, i don’t know about anybody saying it’s last century technology.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Latest Headlines

What I heard him say was that he’d like to move away from a lottery (based immigration system) to a merit-based one.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Latest Headlines

I think what the president is saying is that he’d like to move to a more merit-based (system) that is based on the individual, i take a little bit of offense to the comments that the president is racist.

– Kirstjen Nielsen

Found on FOX News 2 years ago Politics