President Obama’s spokesman, Jay Carney, asserts that the call to release detainees was made by “career officials” at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is an arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and that the White House had no input in the decision. Impulsively, many Republicans have gone on record to criticize the administration by saying the move jeopardizes national security. However, as of last week, officials at DHS have claimed that budget cuts looming from sequestration are the root cause for the illegal immigrants’ release. Carney has also stated that the released detainees are “low-risk, noncriminal” individuals.

New York Times: White House Says It Was Not Involved in Detainee Release

CNN: White House was ‘unaware’ of immigration detainee release

Huffington Post: Jay Carney: Immigration Agency Made Decision To Release Detainees