Response from DHS Regarding George Selim's Departure

posted on: Aug 2, 2017

The following statement is a response Arab America received from the Department of Homeland Security, regarding Arab American George Selim’s departure.

1. What was the nature surrounding Mr. Selim’s resignation?
While it was his decision to leave, George had always anticipated his return to the private sector. He felt the infrastructure and coordination mechanisms he and his teams had established were addressed comprehensively and could stand on their own.

2. Was Mr. Selim forced to resign?
No, it was a personal decision.

3. Was his resignation at all related to former Secretary Kelly’s appointment to the President’s Chief of Staff?
No, the timing was coincidental.

4. Some of the President’s political appointees voiced concerns over partnerships with American Muslim organizations in the US. Was his resignation a manifestation of these concerns?
No. Throughout its history, the CVE mission space has had vocal advocates and naysayers, and George has remained heartened to see that this Administration believes in supporting local prevention efforts. With the DHS grant program launched and myriad of federal coordination activities through the interagency CVE Task Force ongoing, he chose to leave knowing that the mission space will live on.

5. Mr. Selim worked closely with American Muslim organizations. Will we continue to see the same relationship between the DHS and those organizations as we did under Mr. Selim?
White House Chief of Staff and former Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly clearly grasps the importance of outreach to Muslim communities, as noted by his enthusiastic remarks about the importance of partnering with American Muslims at an Iftar dinner in Northern Virginia earlier this year. This will continue under Acting DHS Secretary Elaine Duke, who has often relied on the thoughtful and reasoned approach provided by George and the DHS Office for Community Partnerships.

6. Who will fill his position?
David Gersten will fill the role as Acting Director in the DHS Office for Community Partnerships. David has been with DHS since 2006 and was the director for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Programs when trust-building and community partnership were in their infancy. Erin Wilson will fill the role as Acting Director for the interagency Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Task Force.

See original article about Selim’s Departure from DHS here