Yuma, Arizona: US Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned on Sunday amid the administration's growing frustration and bitterness over the number of Central American families crossing the southern border.
President Donald Trump thanked her for her work in a tweet and announced that US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will become the acting head of the sprawling department of 240,000 people.
McAleenan is a longtime border officer, reflecting Trump's priority for the department initially founded to combat terrorism after the September 11 attacks.
Two people familiar with the matter said Nielsen went to the White House to speak with Trump on Sunday following their trip to the border.
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The people say she has long been frustrated by the difficulty getting other departments to help with the growing number of families coming crossing the border.
