US secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen Resigns Sunday April 07,2019

Kirstjen Nielsen, the US secretary of Homeland Security who oversaw the Trump administration's controversial immigration policies, has resigned.

US President Donald Trump announced Nielsen's departure on Sunday April 07,2019, underscoring the president's intent to toughen immigration policy amid a surge in border crossings along the southern border.

Kevin McAleenan, the current US Customs and Border Protection commissioner, will become acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

During her 18 months at the head of the powerful agency, Nielsen became synonymous with the controversial policy of separating children from their parents, leading to frequent calls for her resignation from progressive groups and the Democratic opposition.