Goodlatte raises concerns about possible DHS retaliation against border patrol union chief

House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) on Monday pressed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson about possible retaliation against the head of the border patrol union regarding recent testimony he gave.

Brandon Judd, president of the American Federation of Government Employees National Border Patrol Council, testified before the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee and criticized the administration’s policy of releasing recent illegal immigrants with no intention of ever removing them. Judd raised concerns that an established DHS policy requiring border patrol agents to release unlawful immigrants apprehended at the border and not place them in removal proceedings ran contrary to President Barack Obama’s enforcement priorities issued on Nov. 20, 2014.

The president’s order stated that unlawful immigrants who came to the United States after Jan. 1, 2014, are priorities for removal and are to be placed in removal proceedings as quick as possible.

The House Judiciary Committee was informed that a manager within the border patrol submitted a complaint for alleged misconduct against Judd just days after giving his testimony.

Goodlatte said that the timing of the complaint raised the specter of retaliation against Judd and the other executive committee members and called on Johnson to ensure that no DHS employee or contractor will be targeted for voicing legitimate concerns regarding DHS policy.