Rep. Bob Goodlatte has asked Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to ensure a Border Patrol agent not face retaliation for his testimony to Congress that his agency is engaged in a
catch-and-release policy with illegal aliens.
"I fully expect that you will personally ensure that no DHS employee or contractor will be targeted for reprisal or any other form of adverse employment action on the basis of voicing their legitimate concerns regarding compliance with unwritten departmental policies that contradict your written policies," Goodlatte, who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, wrote to Johnson on April 18,
according to The Washington Examiner.
Brandon Judd, who leads the Border Patrol union, faces allegations of misconduct by "one or more managers" after telling Congress that although official policy is not to catch and release illegal immigrants at the border, an unwritten exists to do just that.
"Such an inquiry, launched within days of Mr. Judd's testimony before the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, raises the specter of retaliation against Mr. Judd and the other executive committee members," Goodlatte wrote.
"[P]lease give me your assurance that any allegation of employee misconduct against Mr. Judd or any other DHS employee or contractor will be investigated fairly and impartially by the appropriate DHS component, without any improper influence by any person within DHS."