Immigration chief apologizes for 'offensive' costumes at her party

[almaty 19]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Department of Homeland Security will investigate a Halloween costume party hosted by a top immigration official and attended by a man dressed in a striped prison outfit, dreadlocks and darkened skin make-up, a costume some say is offensive, the department's secretary said.

Julie Myers, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, called the man's costume "offensive."

Julie Myers, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and host of the fundraising party, was on a three-judge panel that originally praised the prisoner costume for "originality."

Myers later apologized for "a few of the costumes," calling them "inappropriate and offensive." She said she and other senior managers "deeply regret that this happened."

A department photographer photographed Myers with the man, but the images were deleted after the costume were deemed offensive, ICE spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said.

Between 50 and 75 people attended the party, which was a fundraiser for the Combined Federal Campaign, a federal government collection of charities.

Nantel said one employee, whom she declined to identify, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison outfit, dreadlocks and a skin "bronzer" intended "to make him look African-American." But, she said, it was not immediately apparent that he was wearing the make-up.

"Most people in the room didn't realize he was wearing make-up at all," she said.

"It was unintentioned. The employee did not mean to offend although there were some employees that were rightfully offended by it," Nantel said.

Myers and the other judges "noted his costume for originality."

"There were a couple of people who were offended," Nantel said. "When it was confirmed through a conversation with the employee that he was wearing make-up," Nantel said, the employee was counseled and Myers sent out a note to employees apologizing.

In a November 2 email to ICE employees, Myers wrote, "It is now clear that, however unintended, a few of the costumes were inappropriate and offensive. While we were all thrilled to be a part of the CFC fundraising effort, I and the senior management at ICE deeply regret that this happened."

She reminded all employees to be compliant with the department's diversity training requirement.

Myers has served as head of ICE since January of 2006 but is still awaiting Senate confirmation.

An ICE congressional liaison said ICE officials briefed congressional staffers about the costume party this week as a courtesy. But at least one congressional staffer said they approached ICE after receiving an anonymous fax about the incident.

Myers called House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, about the incident and is expected to meet with him before the end of the week, a Thompson spokeswoman told CNN.

Myers also contacted the National Association of African-Americans in the Department of Homeland Security. In a letter to NAADHS members, the group's vice president, Sjon Shavers, said the group "appreciates (Myers) reaching out to us so quickly in order to keep us apprised of the matter and we commend her on moving so swiftly toward appropriate corrective action."

As head of ICE, Myers heads the law enforcement agency charged with enforcing immigration law inside the United States. It is the second largest investigative agency in the federal government, with more than 15,000 employees, including 6,000 investigators.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff "supports the actions that Assistant Secretary Myers has taken," DHS spokeswoman Laura Keehner said. "We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior at DHS."

"The Secretary has asked for an inquiry into the facts surrounding the incident. Once the facts have been determined, we will take all necessary and appropriate actions," Keehner said. E-mail

[Nessa 23]

dum**ss

[one...two...tree 2,762]

How retro of him...

[yassmine2878 1]

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff "supports the actions that Assistant Secretary Myers has taken," DHS spokeswoman Laura Keehner said. "We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior at DHS."

Oh yeah? Then who are those 'looooooooovely' people we have to deal with?

Cheez. Now I know why they had such a big fat fee hike for apps. To fund more parties. I bet I could have paid for all our filing fees just be spending one evening there passing out cucumber sandwiches and martinis.

[almaty 19]

How retro of him...

yeap...he was paying tribute to al jolson..

[pedroh 21]

......

who thehell thinks that black face is fun,or amusing

[almaty 19]

i do not see the point at all..or, really dressing in a way to make fun of another race..

[yassmine2878 1]

i do not see the point at all..or, really dressing in a way to make fun of another race..

In light of the way in which they handle our cases, do you really think anyone at DHS has any common sense? Or cares about other people's feelings for that matter.

[Sprailenes 47]

i do not see the point at all..or, really dressing in a way to make fun of another race..

Me either, but they still sell "indian" costumes at most stores down here.

[Jasman0717 9]

Oh brother Things are outta control

[NeverSeen 0]

......

who thehell thinks that black face is fun,or amusing

I do, and I thought the Jefferson's was funny and so was All in the Family, South Park, Mind of Mencia, and Chris Rock. Comedy about sterotypes and racism is typically histarical, until it's your race being picked on.

I'm going to guess the guy that wore the costume was white. If he were any other race trying to be sterotypical of another race this would be a non issue.

Why are movies like White Chicks allowed to be made, marketed and laughed at? Two black guys dressing up as white girls poking all sorts of fun at sterotypical white people is more acceptable than a white guy dressing up like a black one at a costume party? Oh it must have been the prison suit, because only white people go to prison... right?

Get over yourselves people. Do your part to end racism: marry and reproduce outside of your skin color. As soon as the world is all carmel colored maybe we can stop with this rediculasness.

[NeverSeen 0]

......

who thehell thinks that black face is fun,or amusing

I do, and I thought the Jefferson's was funny and so was All in the Family, South Park, Mind of Mencia, and Chris Rock. Comedy about sterotypes and racism is typically histarical, until it's your race being picked on.

I'm going to guess the guy that wore the costume was white. If he were any other race trying to be sterotypical of another race this would be a non issue.

Why are movies like White Chicks allowed to be made, marketed and laughed at? Two black guys dressing up as white girls poking all sorts of fun at sterotypical white people is more acceptable than a white guy dressing up like a black one at a costume party? Oh it must have been the prison suit, because only white people go to prison... right?

Get over yourselves people. Do your part to end racism: marry and reproduce outside of your skin color. As soon as the world is all carmel colored maybe we can stop with this rediculasness.

Opps! I forgot, I'm white so my opinion does not count about racism... Sorry! I keep forgetting that my people were never prosecuted and slaughtered like pigs over their religion or made fun of because they eat potatoes or like to get boosed up. Oh, and I forgot they weren't slaves, they were indentured servents, which is so much better than being a slave. Guess there isn't any history in my Native American blood either, yeah, they weren't killed off for land or anything. Obviously I just don't know where other races are coming from when it comes to racism because none of my people have ever suffered anything in the past. I guess I better get started on writing my appology to everyone I've offended. If you are that person, hold your breathe until I send it!

/sarcasim

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

......

who thehell thinks that black face is fun,or amusing

I do, and I thought the Jefferson's was funny and so was All in the Family, South Park, Mind of Mencia, and Chris Rock. Comedy about sterotypes and racism is typically histarical, until it's your race being picked on.

I'm going to guess the guy that wore the costume was white. If he were any other race trying to be sterotypical of another race this would be a non issue.

Why are movies like White Chicks allowed to be made, marketed and laughed at? Two black guys dressing up as white girls poking all sorts of fun at sterotypical white people is more acceptable than a white guy dressing up like a black one at a costume party? Oh it must have been the prison suit, because only white people go to prison... right?

Get over yourselves people. Do your part to end racism: marry and reproduce outside of your skin color. As soon as the world is all carmel colored maybe we can stop with this rediculasness.

Opps! I forgot, I'm white so my opinion does not count about racism... Sorry! I keep forgetting that my people were never prosecuted and slaughtered like pigs over their religion or made fun of because they eat potatoes or like to get boosed up. Oh, and I forgot they weren't slaves, they were indentured servents, which is so much better than being a slave. Guess there isn't any history in my Native American blood either, yeah, they weren't killed off for land or anything. Obviously I just don't know where other races are coming from when it comes to racism because none of my people have ever suffered anything in the past. I guess I better get started on writing my appology to everyone I've offended. If you are that person, hold your breathe until I send it!

/sarcasim

you PWNED yourself!!!! woot!