Ken Cuccinelli facts for kids
Kenneth Thomas "Ken" Cuccinelli II (born July 30, 1968) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the acting United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security from 2019 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he also worked as the Principal Deputy and acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Before that, he was the Attorney General of Virginia from 2010 to 2014.
Cuccinelli was a member of the Virginia Senate. He represented the 37th district in Fairfax County from 2002 to 2010. He then became the 46th Attorney General of Virginia. In 2013, Cuccinelli ran for Governor of Virginia but lost to the Democratic candidate, Terry McAuliffe.
He held strong views on social issues, including marriage. Cuccinelli also questioned the scientific agreement on climate change. As Attorney General, he investigated climate scientists. He was known for his strict views on immigration. He wanted to stop undocumented immigrants from attending universities. He also wanted to end birthright citizenship and make employees speak English at work.
His appointment as acting USCIS Director was later ruled unlawful by a judge. This was because it did not follow the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. Later, his appointment as acting Deputy Secretary was also found to be illegal.
Quick facts for kids
Ken Cuccinelli
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Acting United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security | |
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De facto, unlawful
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| In office November 13, 2019 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | David Pekoske |
| Succeeded by | David Pekoske (acting) |
| Acting Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services | |
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De facto, unlawful
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| In office June 10, 2019 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | L. Francis Cissna |
| Succeeded by | Tracy Renaud (acting) |
| Principal Deputy Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services | |
| In office June 10, 2019 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| 46th Attorney General of Virginia | |
| In office January 16, 2010 – January 11, 2014 |
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| Governor | Bob McDonnell |
| Preceded by | Bill Mims |
| Succeeded by | Mark Herring |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 37th district |
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| In office August 19, 2002 – January 12, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Warren E. Barry |
| Succeeded by | David W. Marsden |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Kenneth Thomas Cuccinelli II
July 30, 1968 Edison, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Alice Monteiro Davis
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | University of Virginia (BS) George Mason University (MA, JD) |
| Signature |  |
Early Life and Education
Cuccinelli was born in Edison, New Jersey. His father's family came from Italy, and his mother's family came from Ireland. He went to Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.. He graduated from high school in 1986.
He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree there. Later, he earned a law degree (Juris Doctor) from George Mason University School of Law. He also received a Master of Arts degree in international commerce and policy from George Mason University.
Career
Cuccinelli started a law firm in Fairfax, Virginia. It handled many different types of legal cases.
Virginia State Senate (2002–2010)
Cuccinelli ran for the state Senate in 2002. He won a special election for the 37th District. He was re-elected in 2003 for his first full term. In 2007, he won re-election again by a very small number of votes.
Attorney General of Virginia (2010–2014)
In 2009, Cuccinelli was chosen as the Republican candidate for Attorney General. He won the election with 58% of the votes. He started his term on January 16, 2010.
In 2010, Cuccinelli was the first Attorney General to challenge the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in federal court. He argued that the law was unconstitutional. He also opposed expanding Medicaid, which helps low-income people get health care.
In July 2010, Cuccinelli supported Arizona's immigration law. He also allowed police to check the immigration status of anyone they stopped.
Cuccinelli disagreed with the scientific agreement on climate change. In 2010, he challenged the United States Environmental Protection Agency's findings on greenhouse gases. He also tried to get documents from a climate researcher at the University of Virginia. However, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that he did not have the power to do this. This was seen as a win for academic freedom.
He defended Virginia laws that were later found unconstitutional. In 2010, he asked Virginia universities to remove certain protections for students. In 2010, Cuccinelli said that police and school staff could search students' cell phones. This was to prevent cyberbullying. However, groups like the ACLU said this opinion was wrong.
His office helped people get back nearly $8 million from lenders. They also sued companies that charged very high interest rates. .....
2013 Virginia Gubernatorial Candidacy
After being elected Attorney General, many thought Cuccinelli might run for governor. On November 30, 2011, he announced he would run for governor in 2013. He continued to serve as Attorney General during his campaign.
Cuccinelli lost the election to Terry McAuliffe on November 5, 2013. He lost by about 56,000 votes.
Business and Politics (2014–2017)
In 2014, Cuccinelli helped start an oyster farming company. This company was located in Tangier, Virginia.
During the 2016 presidential election, Cuccinelli advised Ted Cruz's campaign. He worked to help Cruz win delegates for the Republican convention.
In 2016, Cuccinelli announced he would not run for governor in 2017. In May 2016, he became the general counsel for the FreedomWorks Foundation. There, he helped state attorneys general who wanted to oppose federal rules.
In 2017, Cuccinelli challenged a law that froze electricity rates. He argued that the law allowed power companies to charge too much. He called it "unfair and unjust."
Acting USCIS Director (2019–2021)
In June 2019, Cuccinelli was appointed as the Principal Deputy Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This allowed him to become the acting Director.
As the head of USCIS, Cuccinelli was in charge of legal immigration and naturalization. He believed that immigration was a privilege, not a right. He said USCIS was a "vetting agency," meaning it checks people carefully.
Time in Office
In July 2019, Cuccinelli commented on the death of an asylum seeker and his daughter. He said the tragedy happened because the father did not want to wait for the legal asylum process. He also said the government was ready to deport about 1 million undocumented immigrants.
In August 2019, Cuccinelli announced new rules for legal immigration. These rules made it harder for people to get green cards or visas if they might need government benefits. When asked about the Statue of Liberty poem, he offered a changed version. He said the new rules were consistent with older immigration laws.
In October 2019, Cuccinelli testified that he ended a medical program. This program allowed some patients to stay in the U.S. for medical care. He later reversed this decision after public concern.
On March 1, 2020, a court ruled that Cuccinelli's appointment as USCIS director was illegal. This decision stopped all directives he had issued.
Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
Time in Office
Cuccinelli became a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force in January 2020.
In July 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new rule. International students would be deported if their universities only offered online classes. Cuccinelli defended this policy. He said there was no reason for international students to stay if classes were not in person.
That same month, Cuccinelli defended sending federal agents to Portland, Oregon. These agents picked up protesters and put them into unmarked vehicles.
Under his leadership, oversight of the DHS's intelligence branch was reduced. This branch then started collecting information on journalists and protesters. A whistleblower later claimed that Cuccinelli ordered the intelligence branch to change reports. He allegedly wanted them to downplay threats from white supremacy groups.
Another complaint in February 2021 said Cuccinelli signed an agreement with an ICE union. This agreement gave agents more power over policy. It was seen as an attempt to limit the new administration's actions.
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The Heritage Foundation
In February 2021, Cuccinelli became a visiting fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He wrote several articles for the foundation. In 2023, he wrote a chapter on the Department of Homeland Security for their book, Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise.
Political Positions
Guns
Cuccinelli has always supported gun rights. He supported laws to allow carrying concealed handguns in more places. He also wanted to protect information about handgun permits. He believes that mental illness is a main cause of mass shootings. He has pushed for restricting mentally ill people from getting guns.
Immigration
Cuccinelli is known for his strict views on immigration. He has supported President Trump's immigration policies. In Virginia, he pushed for laws to make employees speak English at work. He also wanted to end birthright citizenship. He tried to ban undocumented immigrants from attending Virginia colleges.
Donald Trump
During the 2016 Republican convention, Cuccinelli tried to stop Donald Trump from getting the Republican nomination. He strongly supported Ted Cruz at that time.
After the 2020 presidential election, Cuccinelli exchanged emails about election fraud theories.
Ron DeSantis
In March 2023, Cuccinelli started a group called Never Back Down. This group encouraged Ron DeSantis to run for president in 2024.
Taxes
In 2006, Cuccinelli criticized Republicans in the Virginia Senate for raising the gasoline tax. In his 2013 campaign, he suggested cutting income and corporate taxes. He said he would make up for lost money by slowing government spending.
Eminent Domain
Cuccinelli worked to pass laws that protected private homes and businesses from being taken by the government for private projects. He wanted to improve property rights in Virginia's Constitution. In 2012, he championed a constitutional amendment. This amendment passed with 74% of the vote. It stopped eminent domain from being used for private gain.
Law Enforcement
In 2005, Cuccinelli supported a law that gave police officers overtime pay. This included pay for hours worked while on vacation.
Personal Life
Cuccinelli is a Catholic. He is married to Alice Monteiro Davis. They met in high school and married in October 1991. They have seven children.
They live in Nokesville in Prince William County, Virginia.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2019
