DHS chief Kevin McAleenan shouted off stage by pro-immigration protesters

Acting Department of Homeland Security Director Kevin McAleenan found out Monday at Georgetown Law School that the anti-immigrant policies he implements on behalf of President Donald Trump are not popular with many in the United States, and rather than try to debate those who disagreed with him, he walked off stage before finishing his speech, Politico reports:

“Protesters stood and chanted when McAleenan took the stage as keynote speaker at an annual conference hosted by the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. The event’s attendees included immigration lawyers, current and former DHS officials and pro-migrant advocates.

“’When immigrants are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!’ the protesters shouted. The protesters read the names of children who died at the border under the Trump administration and held signs bearing the message, ‘hate is not normal.'”

McAleenan, who has been an eager defender of the Trump administration’s draconian actions towards migrants (including placing immigrant children in detention indefinitely), tried to speak, telling the audience he wanted to discuss “challenges and efforts that we’ve faced over the past year … and some of the fundamental issues we face with the current legal framework and its ability to address large-scale immigration flows.”

But the protesters were in no mood to listen, repeatedly shouting over him as he attempted to continue.

At one point, Doris Meissner, the former commissioner of US Immigration & Naturalization Services under President Bill Clinton’s administration, looked at the protesters and remarked:

“Please, that’s enough now. We hear you. This is a forum where we respect free speech, we respect your right to protest, but in respect to this audience, who wants to hear the speaker, let’s save the rest of it for the Q&A period.”

McAleenan tried to restart his speech, commenting:

“As a career law enforcement professional, I’ve dedicated my career to protecting the right to free speech and all the values we hold dear in America.”

That was as far as he got before more shouts began to overwhelm his voice. The DHS director stepped back from the microphone and then away from the podium completely.

After McAleenan left, the director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Anna Gallagher, stepped to the podium and said she supported the protesters, but wanted to hear from McAleenan:

“I appreciate your point, I think it’s the right point, and I think it’s the wrong place”

Given the way this administration has refused to listen to those who disagree with them on any issue, including immigration, it should come as no surprise to McAleenan or others that many have lost patience when it comes to letting them speak, too.

Featured Image Via Screenshot

DHS chief Kevin McAleenan shouted off stage by pro-immigration protesters

About The Author

Will Bishop

YOU MIGHT LIKE…

You might also like…

Corrections? Questions?

DHS chief Kevin McAleenan shouted off stage by pro-immigration protesters

Share this:

About The Author

Will Bishop

Related Posts

Republicans look to restrict or criminalize travel to other states after Roe v. Wade falls

Pompeo shows how thin his skin is after reporter points out the rest of world thinks his China COVID conspiracy theory is bunk

Don Jr. calls for ‘total war’ against counting all the votes and throws fit after getting flagged by Twitter

Lou Dobbs viciously attacks Lindsey Graham, accuses him of having ‘betrayed’ Trump

YOU MIGHT LIKE…

You might also like…

Corrections? Questions?