Thread by @Haleaziz

Joseph Edlow has been appointed "deputy director for policy" at USCIS, according to an email sent by @DHS_Wolf to staff this morning.

Confusingly, Wolf says Edlow will support "Mr. Cuccinelli by running the day-to-day activities of of USCIS."

@DHS_Wolf Cuccinelli is both the deputy DHS secretary and the head of USCIS.

When he was first picked for the deputy job, Cuccinelli announced internally that Mark Koumans would lead USCIS.

.@mariasacchetti detailed some of this confusion back in December: washingtonpost.com/immigration/ke…

@DHS_Wolf @mariasacchetti Edlow, by the way, was previously chief counsel at USCIS.

@DHS_Wolf @mariasacchetti NEW: Mark Koumans, the dep. USCIS director and interim leader, has been demoted to "deputy director for operations" and will soon be detailed to DHS to serve as the "presidential transition officer," per email sent by Edlow to USCIS staff.

Another leadership shake-up at DHS.

@DHS_Wolf @mariasacchetti So, in sum:

Cuccinelli still listed as leading USCIS, even though he announced his departure for the deputy DHS sec. role.

The guy initially picked to lead USCIS -- a career official -- has been demoted to a random job.

New person in charge "helping" Cuccinelli run USCIS.

@DHS_Wolf @mariasacchetti USCIS is key to the Trump administration's goals to restrict asylum and immigration as a whole --- safe-third country, barring asylum for those who cross through Mexico, Remain in Mexico, & public charge --- run through USCIS.

@DHS_Wolf @mariasacchetti If you think you're confused, imagine the many folks at USCIS who have no idea what's happening...

@DHS_Wolf @mariasacchetti Can you break this down for us, @HomelandKen?