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Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano claimed Thursday that she had no part in her department's decision to release low-risk illegal immigrant detainees as a way to deal with looming cuts to the department's budget.

In an interview with ABC News, Napolitano claimed even she was surprised to learn about the release of the prisoners, which drew criticism from many Republican lawmakers.

"Detainee populations and how that is managed back and forth is really handled by career officials in the field," she said.

Napolitano also conceded that the decision was poorly timed, saying she wishes people, herself included, weren't caught by surprise by the announcement.

Click for more from ABC News. 

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