A conservative watchdog has initiated legal action against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), pressing for the release of communications between Vice President Kamala Harris' office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) concerning the southwest border and illegal immigration issues. This move follows a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the Oversight Project, linked to the Heritage Foundation, which argued that DHS did not adhere to federal law in its response.
The lawsuit demands that DHS disclose its interactions with Harris by October 22. The focus on communications with CBP stems from Harris' designated role in addressing the root causes of migration from Central America's Northern Triangle. Given her responsibility and the influx of approximately 10 million undocumented immigrants during her tenure, proponents argue there should be extensive dialogue between her office and CBP worth scrutinizing.
This legal challenge is particularly timely as it intersects with public interest ahead of elections, where immigration remains a pivotal issue. The objective behind seeking an expedited release of documents through a preliminary injunction is to inform voters about a major candidate's stance on immigration before they head to the polls.
In September, CBP acknowledged receiving the FOIA request but later closed it administratively without notifying the plaintiffs, claiming no documents were shared via the FOIA portal. The Oversight Project contested this closure, highlighting discrepancies in how similar requests were managed, notably comparing it to a request from Rep. James Comer regarding Harris' involvement in border management.
The suit also calls attention to perceived efforts by some media outlets to recast Harris' border policy record. By pushing for transparency in her communications with CBP, plaintiffs aim to offer a clear view of her actions and policies during what many consider an ongoing border crisis.
The lawsuit demands that DHS disclose its interactions with Harris by October 22. The focus on communications with CBP stems from Harris' designated role in addressing the root causes of migration from Central America's Northern Triangle. Given her responsibility and the influx of approximately 10 million undocumented immigrants during her tenure, proponents argue there should be extensive dialogue between her office and CBP worth scrutinizing.
This legal challenge is particularly timely as it intersects with public interest ahead of elections, where immigration remains a pivotal issue. The objective behind seeking an expedited release of documents through a preliminary injunction is to inform voters about a major candidate's stance on immigration before they head to the polls.
In September, CBP acknowledged receiving the FOIA request but later closed it administratively without notifying the plaintiffs, claiming no documents were shared via the FOIA portal. The Oversight Project contested this closure, highlighting discrepancies in how similar requests were managed, notably comparing it to a request from Rep. James Comer regarding Harris' involvement in border management.
The suit also calls attention to perceived efforts by some media outlets to recast Harris' border policy record. By pushing for transparency in her communications with CBP, plaintiffs aim to offer a clear view of her actions and policies during what many consider an ongoing border crisis.
