During his confirmation hearing, Mullin pledged to bring a steadier hand to the department.
However, advocates argue that changing the public relations approach does not fix the underlying operational reality.
"A desire to avoid bad press for cruel and harsh immigration enforcement is not a commitment to stop engaging in harsh and cruel practices and policies," said Dorothea Lay, a former senior USCIS attorney at DHS and current vice-president of policy at Jesuit Refugee Service/USA.
Several officials said Mullin lacks Noem's appetite for personal vendettas, and the CBP commissioner has attempted to bring back some of the staff she forced out.
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But multiple current employees said nothing of substance has changed, and Mullin has little control over the climate of fear that persists.
