Hundreds of Department of Homeland Security employees working in oversight positions have been terminated. The terminated employees came from three oversight divisions within DHS which were established by Congress to address the immediate needs of detained individuals, monitor the conditions of detention centers, and investigate civil rights violations. GEL Senior Associate, Marlene Laimeche, discussed the firings with NPR and how former DHS employees, represented by GEL, are challenging their terminations. Ms. Laimeche told NPR:
“The first argument is that the agency does not have legal authority to abolish the functions that are required by Congress, although they claim to still be carrying out those functions; they have not provided any evidence,” said Marlene Laimeche, one of the attorneys on the case at Gilbert Employment Law.
To learn more and read the full NPR publication, click here.
Laid-off civil rights workers warn of potential for ICE detention violations : NPR
If you are a federal worker who was impacted by the shutdown or a reduction in force, contact GEL to schedule a consultation.