The conservative watchdog this week ordered the Department of Homeland Security to provide all communications between Vice President Kamala Harris' office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding the Southwest border and illegal immigration. A lawsuit was filed to force the Ministry of Security to do so.
In September, the Oversight Project, a good government group affiliated with the conservative Heritage Foundation, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. However, the group deemed DHS's response to be out of compliance with federal law and filed suit in federal court.
House committee ramps up pressure to obtain key documents on Harris' role in border crisis
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (center) visits the U.S.-Mexico border with U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Division Chief John Modlin (R) on September 27, 2024 in Douglas, Arizona. . (Rebecca Noble/AFP via Getty Images)
The lawsuit seeks to force DHS to release its communications with Harris by Oct. 22.
“Here, we are seeking communication between CBP and Vice President Harris' office. She has been appointed 'border czar,' but the administration is investigating the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle.” The importance of that portfolio, the fact that there are 10 million illegal aliens in the country under her watch, and the relationship between CBP and her office. I think there's going to be a lot of communication going on.”
Brosnan said the Oct. 22 deadline is in the public interest to understand the performance of major party candidates on top issues in time for voting.
“We are asking for the right to access these records through FOIA, and immigration is a very important election issue, so if we were, we would want to have access to the documents from a public education standpoint. Its use and importance will be significantly reduced.''I plan to get it after the election. ”
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Migrants line up at a remote U.S. Border Patrol processing center after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Lukeville, Arizona, Dec. 7, 2023. A Department of Homeland Security threat assessment warned that terrorism-linked migrants are taking advantage of the border crisis. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
This is the reason for the motion for a preliminary injunction, which, if approved, would force the government to accelerate the release of documents, he said.
CBP acknowledged receiving the FOIA request on September 18, according to a filing obtained by Fox News Digital, citing email exchanges between CBP and Brosnan's colleague Mike Howell.
CBP's FOIA office then allegedly administratively closed the request without notifying the plaintiffs, claiming that “no documents were submitted” to the FOIA portal.
The Surveillance Project asked CBP to reopen the request, but CBP said the request was insufficient and did not provide details on which emails from specific CBP employees would be screened or the domains of emails associated with Harris executives. I was informed that it was missing. Offices will also be included in the search.
In its filing, Brosnan's team pointed to “inconsistencies” between CBP's response to FOIA and a request for a similar structure from the House Oversight Committee.
In September, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to CBP Acting Director Troy Miller repeatedly requesting documents related to Harris' handling of the border crisis.
“It is important that the committee and the American people understand Vice President Harris' role as border czar in the ongoing border crisis,” Comer said in the letter obtained by Fox News Digital.
Brosnan said in an interview last week that if Harris was indeed given the role of overseeing border security, the public needed to know what Harris' team was communicating with CBP regarding border security. He said there is.
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He also cited recent attempts by the media to “rewrite” Harris' record at the border as a reason why this communication should come to light and paint a true picture, positive or negative. Ta.
“The public needs to be informed about what her office was doing during the crisis and communicating with CBP in real time.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Comer and Harris' offices for comment, but did not receive a response by press time.
Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
