Immigration Chief Julie Myers resigns- after Obama's aunt status leak

[HorseArcher]

Yesterday evening, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) chief Julie Myers will be stepping down on Nov. 15, although she gave no reason for her departure.

Myers has been a controversial figure since the day that President Bush nominated her. She was widely criticized as being a crony hire, being the daughter of former Air Force Gen. Richard Myers and possessing almost no immigration or customs experience. During her tenure, ICE was heavily criticized for carrying out politically-motivated immigration raids.


Myers’s resignation comes just days after a “federal law enforcement official” told the AP that Barack Obama’s aunt was living in the United States illegally. ICE officials, however, are “prohibited from commenting on any individual’s status or the status of any case.” House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) has called for an immediate investigation into the matter. On Saturday, Tim Dickinson at Rolling Stone questioned whether Myers may have been the source of the unauthorized leak.
Recently, Myers also came under criticism for awarding “most original costume” to a government employee who dressed up in a racially-offensive costume at an agency Halloween party.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/11/06/myers-resign/


Obama aunt leak raises questions

Kelly Nantel, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, would not comment on the leak or whether the agency was looking into it.

"ICE is prohibited from commenting on any individual’s status or the status of any case,” she said. “I would also add that as a matter of practice, we don't discuss law enforcement operational details.”

Given the timing, the case led to an unusual nationwide directive within ICE requiring that any deportations before Tuesday's election be approved at least at the level of the agency's regional directors, a U.S. law enforcement official told thhttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15161.htmle AP.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15161.html


Regardless wheter Obama's aunt is illegal, She broke the law, no doubt in my mind.

Guaranteed to be continued!

more sources:
http://www.rollingstone.com/national...ration-status/

[MathiasOfAthens]

Right she did break the law and you have to also admit that the timing of this release wasnt coincidental. You know how many people are living here illegally in public housing no less. Anyway makes sense that Bush appointee to this post would or could have done this while I dont want to place blame yet without proof because it could have been any number of people. Perhaps someone close to the aunt a govnment official in Boston, although I doubt it. Or it could have been a federal official with a steak against Obama, someone rooting for McCain. Either way it was wrong to release the information. If Myers did this, as the evidence suggest that she could have, then im glad she resigned and they didnt release why. However, Shame on Bush if he instructed Myers to do this, shame on Bush for appointed cronys to government position to carry out politically motivated actions.

[danzig]

Good its deserved, dont need that crap in elections now if only someone will pressure the Ohio politicians to step down for investigating and releasing info on "Joe the Plumber".

[Keravnos]

I believe this was a trap for Obama, which the President Elect just didn't walk into. The resignation of Immigration chief Julie Myers speaks volumes, I think.

Obama's relative should be treated EXACTLY as law dictates.
President Elect Obama can help her if he sees fit, once she is back in Kenya, if that is what the ruling is.

[Viking Prince]

If Myers was not involved int eh leak -- she did not break the law. We can jump too quickly to conclusions on this. The leak was clearly illegal and hopefully the person or persons invilved will be called to task. If it is Myers -- so be it.

Regarding any resignations -- typical for the end of an administration. It can be a concenient reason, but not the actual reason.

Regarding more to follow -- I will await the more before making any decision on this.