US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairperson Michael McCaul on Tuesday (Dec 17) claimed that the unidentified drones recently spotted over New Jersey and New York are "spy drones" from China.

McCaul's claim comes after the Biden administration downplayed the sightings as largely commercial in nature. &nbsp;

<h2>McCaul's warning</h2>

McCaul, the House representative for Texas's 10th congressional district shared his suspicions after meeting with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson who noted drone activity over military bases, New York Post said in a report.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We want answers, but the response I’m getting is we don't know whose drones these are," said McCaul, adding, "I would not think those are friendly. I would think those are adversarial."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-biden-government-over-mystery-drone-sightings-says-shoot-them-down-783863">Trump slams Biden government over mystery drone sightings, says 'shoot them down'</a>

"We need to identify who is behind these drones," he stressed.

"My judgment based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China," McCaul said, citing China's track record of espionage.

"I believe they’re spy drones and the PRC and communist China is very good at this stuff," he alleged.

He criticised the government for its lack of clear answers, calling the situation "very disturbing."

"We're not getting answers and I think it’s because our government does not know who is behind them and that is very disturbing to me," he stated.

Also watch | Drones not launched from Iranian mothership, says US

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pentagon-says-mystery-new-jersey-drones-not-from-iranian-mothership-783522/embed" width="560"></iframe>

<h2>Drone sightings in east US spark public concern</h2>

The drones have been observed in sensitive locations, including New Jersey's Picatinny Arsenal, Naval Weapons Station Earle, and Stewart International Airport in New York, which was temporarily forced to close on Sunday (Dec 15)&nbsp;&nbsp;due to an unidentified aircraft. &nbsp;

Federal agencies, including the FBI, FAA, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security, issued a joint statement Monday (Dec 16) in which they attributed the sightings to "a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones". &nbsp;

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas supported this view while White House spokesperson John Kirby reported that authorities "have not been able to, and neither have state and local law enforcement authorities, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings".

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwikgaq9kbCKAxX7YvUHHWajFQAQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-homeland-security-denies-any-foreign-involvement-in-drone-sightings-784335" jsname="YKoRaf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">US Homeland Security denies any 'foreign involvement' in drone sightings</a>

<h2>Trump slams Biden over drone sightings</h2>

President-elect Donald Trump has accused President Biden of withholding information over the drone sightings.

Trump, however, dismissed the possibility of a foreign threat. &nbsp;

"Our military knows where they took off from — if it’s a garage, they can go right into that garage," Trump said, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep the public in suspense.&nbsp;

"Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense."

"I can't imagine it's the enemy... Something strange is going on," said Trump.

(With inputs from agencies)

US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairperson Michael McCaul on Tuesday (Dec 17) claimed that the unidentified drones recently spotted over New Jersey and New York are "spy drones" from China.

US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairperson Michael McCaul on Tuesday (Dec 17) claimed that the unidentified drones recently spotted over New Jersey and New York are "spy drones" from China. McCaul's claim comes after the Biden administration downplayed the sightings as largely commercial in nature. McCaul's warning McCaul, the House representative for Texas's 10th congressional district shared his suspicions after meeting with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson who noted drone activity over military bases, New York Post said in a report. "We want answers, but the response I’m getting is we don't know whose drones these are," said McCaul, adding, "I would not think those are friendly. I would think those are adversarial." Also read | Trump slams Biden government over mystery drone sightings, says 'shoot them down' "We need to identify who is behind these drones," he stressed. "My judgment based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China," McCaul said, citing China's track record of espionage. "I believe they’re spy drones and the PRC and communist China is very good at this stuff," he alleged. He criticised the government for its lack of clear answers, calling the situation "very disturbing." "We're not getting answers and I think it’s because our government does not know who is behind them and that is very disturbing to me," he stated. Also watch | Drones not launched from Iranian mothership, says US Drone sightings in east US spark public concern The drones have been observed in sensitive locations, including New Jersey's Picatinny Arsenal, Naval Weapons Station Earle, and Stewart International Airport in New York, which was temporarily forced to close on Sunday (Dec 15) due to an unidentified aircraft. Federal agencies, including the FBI, FAA, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security, issued a joint statement Monday (Dec 16) in which they attributed the sightings to "a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones". Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas supported this view while White House spokesperson John Kirby reported that authorities "have not been able to, and neither have state and local law enforcement authorities, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings". Also read | US Homeland Security denies any 'foreign involvement' in drone sightings Trump slams Biden over drone sightings President-elect Donald Trump has accused President Biden of withholding information over the drone sightings. Trump, however, dismissed the possibility of a foreign threat. "Our military knows where they took off from — if it’s a garage, they can go right into that garage," Trump said, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep the public in suspense. "Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense." "I can't imagine it's the enemy... Something strange is going on," said Trump. (With inputs from agencies)

Unidentified aircraft over New Jersey, New York are Chinese 'spy drones', claims US congressman

Washington, United States
US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairperson Michael McCaul on Tuesday (Dec 17) claimed that the unidentified drones recently spotted over New Jersey and New York are "spy drones" from China.
McCaul's claim comes after the Biden administration downplayed the sightings as largely commercial in nature.  
<h2>McCaul's warning</h2>
McCaul, the House representative for Texas's 10th congressional district shared his suspicions after meeting with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson who noted drone activity over military bases, New York Post said in a report.  
"We want answers, but the response I’m getting is we don't know whose drones these are," said McCaul, adding, "I would not think those are friendly. I would think those are adversarial."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-biden-government-over-mystery-drone-sightings-says-shoot-them-down-783863">Trump slams Biden government over mystery drone sightings, says 'shoot them down'</a>
"We need to identify who is behind these drones," he stressed.
"My judgment based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China," McCaul said, citing China's track record of espionage.
"I believe they’re spy drones and the PRC and communist China is very good at this stuff," he alleged.
He criticised the government for its lack of clear answers, calling the situation "very disturbing."
"We're not getting answers and I think it’s because our government does not know who is behind them and that is very disturbing to me," he stated.
Also watch | Drones not launched from Iranian mothership, says US
<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/12/1212_DRONES_5PM-1734010512-00000003.jpg&videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1212_DRONES_5PM.mp4/index.m3u8&duration=134&tags=US,Pentagon,New Jersey,drones" width="560"></iframe>
<h2>Drone sightings in east US spark public concern</h2>
The drones have been observed in sensitive locations, including New Jersey's Picatinny Arsenal, Naval Weapons Station Earle, and Stewart International Airport in New York, which was temporarily forced to close on Sunday (Dec 15)  due to an unidentified aircraft.  
Federal agencies, including the FBI, FAA, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security, issued a joint statement Monday (Dec 16) in which they attributed the sightings to "a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones".  
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas supported this view while White House spokesperson John Kirby reported that authorities "have not been able to, and neither have state and local law enforcement authorities, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings".
Also read | <a data-ved="2ahUKEwikgaq9kbCKAxX7YvUHHWajFQAQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-homeland-security-denies-any-foreign-involvement-in-drone-sightings-784335" jsname="YKoRaf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">US Homeland Security denies any 'foreign involvement' in drone sightings</a>
<h2>Trump slams Biden over drone sightings</h2>
President-elect Donald Trump has accused President Biden of withholding information over the drone sightings.
Trump, however, dismissed the possibility of a foreign threat.  
"Our military knows where they took off from — if it’s a garage, they can go right into that garage," Trump said, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep the public in suspense. 
"Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense."
"I can't imagine it's the enemy... Something strange is going on," said Trump.
(With inputs from agencies)

"My judgment based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China," McCaul said, citing China's track record of espionage



Washington, United States US House Foreign Affairs Committee chairperson Michael McCaul on Tuesday (Dec 17) claimed that the unidentified drones recently spotted over New Jersey and New York are "spy drones" from China. McCaul's claim comes after the Biden administration downplayed the sightings as largely commercial in nature. McCaul's warning McCaul, the House representative for Texas's 10th congressional district shared his suspicions after meeting with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson who noted drone activity over military bases, New York Post said in a report. "We want answers, but the response I’m getting is we don't know whose drones these are," said McCaul, adding, "I would not think those are friendly. I would think those are adversarial." Also read | Trump slams Biden government over mystery drone sightings, says 'shoot them down' "We need to identify who is behind these drones," he stressed. "My judgment based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China," McCaul said, citing China's track record of espionage. "I believe they’re spy drones and the PRC and communist China is very good at this stuff," he alleged. He criticised the government for its lack of clear answers, calling the situation "very disturbing." "We're not getting answers and I think it’s because our government does not know who is behind them and that is very disturbing to me," he stated. Also watch | Drones not launched from Iranian mothership, says US Drone sightings in east US spark public concern The drones have been observed in sensitive locations, including New Jersey's Picatinny Arsenal, Naval Weapons Station Earle, and Stewart International Airport in New York, which was temporarily forced to close on Sunday (Dec 15) due to an unidentified aircraft. Federal agencies, including the FBI, FAA, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security, issued a joint statement Monday (Dec 16) in which they attributed the sightings to "a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones". Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas supported this view while White House spokesperson John Kirby reported that authorities "have not been able to, and neither have state and local law enforcement authorities, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings". Also read | US Homeland Security denies any 'foreign involvement' in drone sightings Trump slams Biden over drone sightings President-elect Donald Trump has accused President Biden of withholding information over the drone sightings. Trump, however, dismissed the possibility of a foreign threat. "Our military knows where they took off from — if it’s a garage, they can go right into that garage," Trump said, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep the public in suspense. "Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense." "I can't imagine it's the enemy... Something strange is going on," said Trump. (With inputs from agencies)

New York, United States
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that the federal authorities “know of no foreign involvement” in the multiple drone sightings across the northeast region of the country.
The multiple appearances of drone sightings continued to surge nonetheless in the northeast region of the country.
“I want to assure the American public that we are on it,” said Mayorkas. He appealed for “extended and expanded” authority to shoot down any unwanted drones. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-jersey-gets-fed-up-with-mysterious-flying-objects-goes-on-a-drone-hunt-heres-what-it-found-784066">New Jersey gets fed up with mysterious flying objects, goes on a drone hunt. Here's what it found</a>
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday (Dec 15) announced that the federal government was making preparations for the deployment of a high-tech drone detection system in the wake of a spate of drone sightings in Connecticut and New Jersey, where local and state officials have been demanding more assertive federal action while calling drones a “very considerable danger”.
<h2>Anxiety grows over drone sightings as govt struggles to find solution</h2>
Democrat US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer proposed his name to the request made for drone detection technology. 
Florida's Congressman Mike Waltz, who was chosen as the incoming national security adviser of the White House, said that the drone issue throws light on gaps in security between local law enforcement and federal agencies.
Speaking in CBS’s Face the Nation, he said, “Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from. From the defence department's standpoint, they’re focused on bombers and cruise missiles. It’s pointing to gaps in our capabilities and in our ability to clamp down on what’s going on here.”
Speaking to ABC News, the US domestic security chief said that there are “thousands of drones flown every day in the United States, recreational drones, commercial drones”. 
Watch: Donald Trump Demands Action On Mysterious Drone
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In September 2023, he further pointed out that rules have been enacted by aviation regulators to allow drones to be flown at night, which has increased this activity.
US authorities have been trying to avoid vigilantes' responding to the drone invasion in New Jersey so that no bystander gets hit by the falling debris or some legitimate commercial aviation gets targeted in this fiasco.
“We want state and local authorities to also have the ability to counter drone activity under federal supervision,” said Mayorkas.
Mayorkas said some of the sightings were indeed drones, however, others were manned aircraft mistaken to be drones.
“There’s no question … people are seeing drones,” said Mayorkas. 
“And I want to assure the American public that we, in the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology, to assist … in addressing the drone sightings," he added.
(With inputs from agencies)

US Homeland Security secretary said "we are on it" while speaking about the issue of multiple drone sightings across the country



New York, United States US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that the federal authorities “know of no foreign involvement” in the multiple drone sightings across the northeast region of the country. The multiple appearances of drone sightings continued to surge nonetheless in the northeast region of the country. “I want to assure the American public that we are on it,” said Mayorkas. He appealed for “extended and expanded” authority to shoot down any unwanted drones. Also Read: New Jersey gets fed up with mysterious flying objects, goes on a drone hunt. Here's what it found New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday (Dec 15) announced that the federal government was making preparations for the deployment of a high-tech drone detection system in the wake of a spate of drone sightings in Connecticut and New Jersey, where local and state officials have been demanding more assertive federal action while calling drones a “very considerable danger”. Anxiety grows over drone sightings as govt struggles to find solution Democrat US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer proposed his name to the request made for drone detection technology. Florida's Congressman Mike Waltz, who was chosen as the incoming national security adviser of the White House, said that the drone issue throws light on gaps in security between local law enforcement and federal agencies. Speaking in CBS’s Face the Nation, he said, “Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from. From the defence department's standpoint, they’re focused on bombers and cruise missiles. It’s pointing to gaps in our capabilities and in our ability to clamp down on what’s going on here.” Speaking to ABC News, the US domestic security chief said that there are “thousands of drones flown every day in the United States, recreational drones, commercial drones”. Watch: Donald Trump Demands Action On Mysterious Drone In September 2023, he further pointed out that rules have been enacted by aviation regulators to allow drones to be flown at night, which has increased this activity. US authorities have been trying to avoid vigilantes' responding to the drone invasion in New Jersey so that no bystander gets hit by the falling debris or some legitimate commercial aviation gets targeted in this fiasco. “We want state and local authorities to also have the ability to counter drone activity under federal supervision,” said Mayorkas. Mayorkas said some of the sightings were indeed drones, however, others were manned aircraft mistaken to be drones. “There’s no question … people are seeing drones,” said Mayorkas. “And I want to assure the American public that we, in the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology, to assist … in addressing the drone sightings," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

US Homeland Security denies any 'foreign involvement' in drone sightings

US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that the federal authorities “know of no foreign involvement” in the multiple drone sightings&nbsp;across the northeast region of the country.

The multiple appearances of drone sightings continued to surge nonetheless in the northeast region of the country.

“I want to assure the American public that we are on it,” said Mayorkas. He appealed for “extended and expanded” authority to shoot down any unwanted drones.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-jersey-gets-fed-up-with-mysterious-flying-objects-goes-on-a-drone-hunt-heres-what-it-found-784066">New Jersey gets fed up with mysterious flying objects, goes on a drone hunt. Here's what it found</a>

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday (Dec 15) announced that the federal government was making preparations for the deployment of a high-tech drone detection system in the wake of a spate of drone sightings in Connecticut and New Jersey, where local and state officials have been demanding more assertive federal action while calling drones a “very considerable danger”.

<h2>Anxiety grows over drone sightings as govt struggles to find solution</h2>

Democrat US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer proposed his name to the request made for drone detection technology.&nbsp;

Florida's Congressman Mike Waltz, who was chosen as the incoming national security adviser of the White House, said that the drone issue throws light on gaps in security between local law enforcement and federal agencies.

Speaking in CBS’s Face the Nation, he said, “Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from. From the defence department's standpoint, they’re focused on bombers and cruise missiles. It’s pointing to gaps in our capabilities and in our ability to clamp down on what’s going on here.”

Speaking to ABC News, the US domestic security chief said that there are “thousands of drones flown every day in the United States, recreational drones, commercial drones”.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump Demands Action On Mysterious Drone

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-demands-action-on-mysterious-drone-784147/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In September 2023, he further pointed out that rules have been enacted by aviation regulators to allow drones to be flown at night, which has increased this activity.

US authorities have been trying to avoid vigilantes' responding to the drone invasion in New Jersey so that no bystander gets hit by the falling debris or some legitimate commercial aviation gets targeted in this fiasco.

“We want state and local authorities to also have the ability to counter drone activity under federal supervision,” said Mayorkas.

Mayorkas said some of the sightings were indeed drones, however, others were manned aircraft mistaken to be drones.

“There’s no question … people are seeing drones,” said Mayorkas.&nbsp;

“And I want to assure the American public that we, in the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology, to assist … in addressing the drone sightings," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that the federal authorities “know of no foreign involvement” in the multiple drone sightings across the northeast region of the country.

US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that the federal authorities “know of no foreign involvement” in the multiple drone sightings across the northeast region of the country. The multiple appearances of drone sightings continued to surge nonetheless in the northeast region of the country. “I want to assure the American public that we are on it,” said Mayorkas. He appealed for “extended and expanded” authority to shoot down any unwanted drones. Also Read: New Jersey gets fed up with mysterious flying objects, goes on a drone hunt. Here's what it found New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday (Dec 15) announced that the federal government was making preparations for the deployment of a high-tech drone detection system in the wake of a spate of drone sightings in Connecticut and New Jersey, where local and state officials have been demanding more assertive federal action while calling drones a “very considerable danger”. Anxiety grows over drone sightings as govt struggles to find solution Democrat US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer proposed his name to the request made for drone detection technology. Florida's Congressman Mike Waltz, who was chosen as the incoming national security adviser of the White House, said that the drone issue throws light on gaps in security between local law enforcement and federal agencies. Speaking in CBS’s Face the Nation, he said, “Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from. From the defence department's standpoint, they’re focused on bombers and cruise missiles. It’s pointing to gaps in our capabilities and in our ability to clamp down on what’s going on here.” Speaking to ABC News, the US domestic security chief said that there are “thousands of drones flown every day in the United States, recreational drones, commercial drones”. Watch: Donald Trump Demands Action On Mysterious Drone In September 2023, he further pointed out that rules have been enacted by aviation regulators to allow drones to be flown at night, which has increased this activity. US authorities have been trying to avoid vigilantes' responding to the drone invasion in New Jersey so that no bystander gets hit by the falling debris or some legitimate commercial aviation gets targeted in this fiasco. “We want state and local authorities to also have the ability to counter drone activity under federal supervision,” said Mayorkas. Mayorkas said some of the sightings were indeed drones, however, others were manned aircraft mistaken to be drones. “There’s no question … people are seeing drones,” said Mayorkas. “And I want to assure the American public that we, in the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology, to assist … in addressing the drone sightings," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

The United States is going to extradite Canadian writer Dawn Walker for faking her own death and kidnapping her son.

Accused of stealing her friend's identity to cross Canada's border, Walker said she fled the country because she wanted to escape domestic abuse.

The indigenous author from Okanese Cree Nation in the province of Saskatchewan went missing more than a month ago.

Prompting fears that she and her son had drowned in the South Saskatchewan River, her abandoned pickup truck was spotted in a park in the city of Saskatoon.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-deliberately-faked-his-death-to-expose-traitors-in-his-circle-report-296811">Also read |&nbsp;Kim Jong-un deliberately faked his death to expose traitors in his circle: Report</a>

According to department of homeland security officials in the US, Walker was arrested in Oregon for stealing the identity of a friend to cross the border into the US and an “abduction scheme” to bring her seven-year-old son to the country.

Highlighting that she “feared for my safety and that of my son”, Walker said she was “failed by the Saskatchewan justice system, the family law system and child protection”.

The former CEO of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) was involved in a lengthy custody battle for her son.

Walker, who is a critic of the failure to address the sustained crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, was shortlisted for a prestigious Canadian literary award for her book 'The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour'.

FSIN chief Bobby Cameron said in a statement, “It is heartbreaking that Dawn may have felt she had no other choice but to take the drastic action that she did.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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The United States is going to extradite Canadian writer Dawn Walker for faking her own death and kidnapping her son. Accused of stealing her friend's identity to cross Canada's border, Walker said she fled the country because she wanted to escape domestic abuse.

The United States is going to extradite Canadian writer Dawn Walker for faking her own death and kidnapping her son. Accused of stealing her friend's identity to cross Canada's border, Walker said she fled the country because she wanted to escape domestic abuse. The indigenous author from Okanese Cree Nation in the province of Saskatchewan went missing more than a month ago. Prompting fears that she and her son had drowned in the South Saskatchewan River, her abandoned pickup truck was spotted in a park in the city of Saskatoon. Also read | Kim Jong-un deliberately faked his death to expose traitors in his circle: Report According to department of homeland security officials in the US, Walker was arrested in Oregon for stealing the identity of a friend to cross the border into the US and an “abduction scheme” to bring her seven-year-old son to the country. Highlighting that she “feared for my safety and that of my son”, Walker said she was “failed by the Saskatchewan justice system, the family law system and child protection”. The former CEO of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) was involved in a lengthy custody battle for her son. Walker, who is a critic of the failure to address the sustained crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, was shortlisted for a prestigious Canadian literary award for her book 'The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour'. FSIN chief Bobby Cameron said in a statement, “It is heartbreaking that Dawn may have felt she had no other choice but to take the drastic action that she did.” (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Canadian writer Dawn Walker fakes own death and kidnaps son; US to extradite her

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that a senior department official, Chad Wolf, would become the nation's new acting homeland security chief, a role at the centre of his crackdown on undocumented immigration.

Asked to confirm rumours that Wolf, a department undersecretary, would assume the role, Trump told reporters, "Well he's right now acting and we'll see what happens. We have great people in there."

Trump announced the resignation of his current acting secretary, Kevin McAleenan, three weeks ago, marking the latest departure in a long list of top officials to leave his administration.

"As the president has said, Kevin McAleenan has done a tremendous job. He'll be leaving after Veterans Day and after he departs, Chad Wolf will serve as acting secretary in the interim," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said.

McAleenan served in the role for six months, replacing Kirstjen Nielsen, who sat at the helm of the powerful agency for 18 months.

Homeland Security is the third-largest department in the US government, overseeing a number of agencies including the Coast Guard, Secret Service and FEMA, which handles disaster preparedness, coordination and support.

In addition, it is in charge of immigration-related agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Wolf, who is the undersecretary for the department's Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, has "made significant progress to strengthen US border security, address the humanitarian crisis on the US Southwest Border, and improve the integrity of the US immigration system" a biography on the DHS website says.

He will be the fifth official under Trump to lead the department, which was created in 2002.

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that a senior department official, Chad Wolf, would become the nation's new acting homeland security chief, a role at the centre of his crackdown on undocumented immigration.

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that a senior department official, Chad Wolf, would become the nation's new acting homeland security chief, a role at the centre of his crackdown on undocumented immigration. Asked to confirm rumours that Wolf, a department undersecretary, would assume the role, Trump told reporters, "Well he's right now acting and we'll see what happens. We have great people in there." Trump announced the resignation of his current acting secretary, Kevin McAleenan, three weeks ago, marking the latest departure in a long list of top officials to leave his administration. "As the president has said, Kevin McAleenan has done a tremendous job. He'll be leaving after Veterans Day and after he departs, Chad Wolf will serve as acting secretary in the interim," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said. McAleenan served in the role for six months, replacing Kirstjen Nielsen, who sat at the helm of the powerful agency for 18 months. Homeland Security is the third-largest department in the US government, overseeing a number of agencies including the Coast Guard, Secret Service and FEMA, which handles disaster preparedness, coordination and support. In addition, it is in charge of immigration-related agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Wolf, who is the undersecretary for the department's Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, has "made significant progress to strengthen US border security, address the humanitarian crisis on the US Southwest Border, and improve the integrity of the US immigration system" a biography on the DHS website says. He will be the fifth official under Trump to lead the department, which was created in 2002.

Donald Trump announces new acting US homeland security chief

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan has resigned, US President Donald Trump announced late Friday, becoming the latest in a long list of top officials to leave the administration.

"Kevin McAleenan has done an outstanding job as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security. We have worked well together with Border Crossings being way down," Trump said in a tweet.

"Kevin now, after many years in Government, wants to spend more time with his family and go to the private sector. Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done!"

McAleenan served in the role for only six months, replacing Kirstjen Nielsen, who sat at the helm of the powerful agency for 18 months.

During McAleenan's brief tenure, the Trump administration stepped up efforts to discourage an exodus of migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador by asking Mexico to impede their transit and requiring them to apply for asylum in the first country they enter -- meaning either Guatemala or Mexico.

"I want to thank the President for the opportunity to serve alongside the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security," McAleenan said in a tweet.

"With his support, over the last 6 months, we have made tremendous progress mitigating the border security and humanitarian crisis we faced this year, by reducing unlawful crossings, partnering with governments in the region to counter human smugglers and address the causes of migration, and deploy additional border security resources."

Trump said he would announce a new acting homeland security secretary next week, and that there were "many wonderful candidates."

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan has resigned, US President Donald Trump announced late Friday, becoming the latest in a long list of top officials to leave the administration.

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan has resigned, US President Donald Trump announced late Friday, becoming the latest in a long list of top officials to leave the administration. "Kevin McAleenan has done an outstanding job as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security. We have worked well together with Border Crossings being way down," Trump said in a tweet. "Kevin now, after many years in Government, wants to spend more time with his family and go to the private sector. Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done!" McAleenan served in the role for only six months, replacing Kirstjen Nielsen, who sat at the helm of the powerful agency for 18 months. During McAleenan's brief tenure, the Trump administration stepped up efforts to discourage an exodus of migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador by asking Mexico to impede their transit and requiring them to apply for asylum in the first country they enter -- meaning either Guatemala or Mexico. "I want to thank the President for the opportunity to serve alongside the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security," McAleenan said in a tweet. "With his support, over the last 6 months, we have made tremendous progress mitigating the border security and humanitarian crisis we faced this year, by reducing unlawful crossings, partnering with governments in the region to counter human smugglers and address the causes of migration, and deploy additional border security resources." Trump said he would announce a new acting homeland security secretary next week, and that there were "many wonderful candidates."

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan resigns: Trump

President Donald Trump continued to dismantle the nation’s top domestic security agency Monday as the White House announced the imminent removal of U.S. Secret Service Director, the latest in a series of departures from the Department of Homeland Security.

A purge underway at US Homeland Security Department?

The US Homeland Security chief on Monday said that immigration officials have arrested more than 680 people in recent operations, 75 per cent of whom have criminal records.

John Kelly, the Homeland Security secretary, said that the operations were routine and consistent with operations carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

The agency said that some of the immigrants had ignored deportation orders.

Immigration rights activists have expressed alarm over the arrests saying that the raids were indiscriminate and did not take into account the threat level posed by the immigrants.

Kelly said in a statement that crimes committed by the illegal immigrants ranged from homicide to driving under the influence of alcohol.

President Donald Trump promised to deport 2 million to 3 million migrants with criminal records on taking office.

At a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, Trump said his administration had &quot;really done a great job&quot; in its recent arrests of immigrants.

&quot;We&#39;re actually taking people that are criminals, very, very, hardened criminals in some cases with a tremendous track record of abuse and problems,&quot; Trump said.

The ICE operation is being viewed in the context of Trump administration&#39;s recent travel ban order on individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries which has been suspended by the judiciary.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Kelly said that crimes committed by the illegal immigrants ranged from homicide to driving under the influence of alcohol

The US Homeland Security chief on Monday said that immigration officials have arrested more than 680 people in recent operations, 75 per cent of whom have criminal records. John Kelly, the Homeland Security secretary, said that the operations were routine and consistent with operations carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. The agency said that some of the immigrants had ignored deportation orders. Immigration rights activists have expressed alarm over the arrests saying that the raids were indiscriminate and did not take into account the threat level posed by the immigrants. Kelly said in a statement that crimes committed by the illegal immigrants ranged from homicide to driving under the influence of alcohol. President Donald Trump promised to deport 2 million to 3 million migrants with criminal records on taking office. At a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, Trump said his administration had "really done a great job" in its recent arrests of immigrants. "We're actually taking people that are criminals, very, very, hardened criminals in some cases with a tremendous track record of abuse and problems," Trump said. The ICE operation is being viewed in the context of Trump administration's recent travel ban order on individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries which has been suspended by the judiciary. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

US Homeland Security chief John Kelly: More than 680 arrested in immigration raids

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US Homeland Security chief John Kelly: More than 680 arrested in immigration raids