Republicans Demand Answers From Biden Labor Nominee Telling Staff to Obstruct ICE Agents

Republicans Demand Answers on Memo from Biden Nominee Telling Staff to ‘Obstruct’ ICE Agents

Republican Senators Bill Cassidy and Tommy Tuberville are demanding answers regarding a memo allegedly sent by Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su in 2017, instructing her staff to “obstruct” agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they visited state labor offices. Su is President Joe Biden’s nominee to become the next secretary of labor.

The Memo

The memo, issued by Su in July 2017, reportedly directed her staff to refuse entry to ICE agents who visited the labor offices looking to apprehend illegal immigrants. According to the Baltimore Sun, the memo instructed staff members to ask federal immigration agents “to leave our office, including the waiting room, and inform the agent[s] that the labor commissioner does not consent to entry or search of any part of our office.” The memo also allegedly directed staff to demand a search warrant signed by a judge before allowing ICE agents onto the premises.

Republican Senators’ Request

Cassidy and Tuberville wrote a letter to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency requesting a copy of the 2017 memorandum issued by Su. During Su’s nomination hearing, Tuberville asked her about the memo, to which she said she did not have access to it and did not remember its contents. The senators are requesting the production of the memorandum by May 8, 2023, pursuant to their constitutional responsibilities.

Su’s Nomination

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee advanced Su’s nomination out of committee on April 26 in an 11-10 vote, with all Republicans voting against the nomination. However, several centrist Democrats, such as Senators Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, and Kyrsten Sinema, are unsure of their stance on Su’s confirmation, which could severely limit her chances of becoming labor secretary.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Su’s alleged memo has put her nomination in jeopardy. Republicans are demanding answers, and centrist Democrats are unsure of their stance on her confirmation. It remains to be seen whether Su will become the next secretary of labor.