American Oversight Sues DHS for Cuccinelli Records

American Oversight today filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security for failing to release documents — including calendars, emails, and text messages — that may shed light on the recent work of Ken Cuccinelli, who is expected to be named the acting deputy secretary of homeland security.

Cuccinelli, an immigration hardliner known for defending Trump policy changes like the public charge rule and restrictions to asylum, is currently serving as acting chief of US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Cuccinelli was named head of USCIS in a DHS shake-up orchestrated by Stephen Miller, a White House senior adviser with far-right anti-immigration views. Cuccinelli is now reported to be in line for the no. 2 post at DHS under Chad Wolf, nominee for secretary. Today’s lawsuit seeks the release of Cuccinelli’s calendars and his emails with outside entities, including communications with or about Miller.

“The White House knows Ken Cuccinelli would never survive a confirmation hearing, but that doesn’t mean he can avoid public scrutiny over his record,” said Austin Evers, executive director of American Oversight. “The administration clearly wants to hide Cuccinelli’s record of executing the administration’s cruel immigration policies. It’s time for Cuccinelli, and the administration across the board, to take responsibility for the pain they are causing.”

American Oversight’s suit seeks to compel the release of documents related to Cuccinelli’s work at USCIS requested through the Freedom of Information Act. The requested documents include emails, calendars, and text messages between Cuccinelli and Stephen Miller, as well as Miller aide John Zadrozny. The suit also seeks the release of documents related to his ethics pledge and potential conflicts of interests, and directives and memoranda he approved at USCIS.

The complaint filed today by American Oversight can be found here.