Mullin talks immigration changes at DHS but White House insists agenda stays

Markwayne Mullin offers changes in immigration policy if confirmed to lead Homeland Security but White House says enforcement agenda isn't changing.

WASHINGTON – Sen. Markwayne Mullin vows to take a number of conciliatory steps governing immigration enforcement if he is confirmed as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security but the White House contends it isn't softening President Donald Trump’s crackdown.

The Oklahoma Republican’s nomination to succeed Kristi Noem offers an opportunity to reset immigration policy after the department has been roiled by massive protests against enforcement surges and the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens.

Mullin committed to having Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers obtain judicial warrants before entering homes or businesses to arrest suspects. He aims to make ICE more a transportation service than front-line pursuer of suspects. He pledged to consult local officials before opening new detention facilities. And he said he regretted calling Alex Pretti “deranged” before the investigation concluded into his fatal shooting by immigration authorities.

Mullin's arrival would come after the announced retirement of Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, who oversaw enforcement surges that sparked protests in Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, took control of the enforcement surge in Minneapolis and dramatically reduced staffing there. Noem previously agreed to have immigration officers wear body-cameras on duty.

But Trump made immigration enforcement a top domestic priority and the White House said nothing would change, despite a Wall Street Journal article reporting that Trump was rethinking his approach to immigration.