Mullin Rolls Back ICE Contract Rule, Easing Shutdown Impact

0:00It's March 28th. Welcome to U.S. News Today, powered by AI and covering the nation. New Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin is rolling back a key rule from his predecessor, Christie Knowham, dropping the top-level approval needed. For contracts from just $100,000 to $25 million or more, this change hits internal memos at immigration and customs enforcement, aiming to cut red tape Mullin called excessive during his confirmation, hearing especially as the department deals with a partial shutdown lasting over a month. Critics had blamed the old rule for slowing disaster relief contracts and everyday operations, with some tying it to delays in turning warehouses into big detention centers across multiple states. Now, ICs revising those warehouse proposals, gathering feedback before moving forward, though Mullin will still personally sign off on the massive. Projects, since they top that new threshold, and one-sided Maryland faces a court pause from state attorneys. All this keeps the focus on President Trump's tough

1:02immigration push intact, while Mullin prioritizes ending the shutdown to get pay flowing back to. Over 100,000 workers.