this is personal
Stephen Miller has reportedly taken 'unprecedented steps' to reveal immigrants' personal information
Trump's chief policy adviser Stephen Miller is well-known for his hawkish stance on immigration. But a new report from Politico highlights just how personal the matter is to him — to the point where he will reportedly take time to focus on a single migrant detainee's deportation.
Three current and former Department of Homeland Security officials told Politico Miller began calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement shortly after President Trump took office in 2017. He would reportedly insist that the agency include more details, including full names and pending criminal charges, in press releases about immigrants ICE apprehend.
Officials reportedly said nothing of the sort had ever been done before: unless the individuals had been convicted or charged, releasing such information would constitute a breach of personal privacy. But in 2017, an executive order issued by Trump concerning public safety contained a provision which excluded non-U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from such privacy protections.
Administration officials largely resisted acting on the provision, per Politico. "We tried to protect as many people from Miller and his requests as possible," said a former DHS official. “When he started going lower and calling random career officials, we would have to go and say, 'If Stephen calls you, elevate it immediately and do not answer.'"
It all highlights Miller's "granular interest in the people crossing the U.S. border, and the unprecedented steps" the 31-year-old has taken to bring their personal information to light. Read the full report at Politico.