'Offensive' costume at government party

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is investigating an immigration official's Halloween party, where a man was dressed in blackface and prison garb.

The department's secretary said the party, hosted by Julie Myers, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is being investigated after it was attended by a man dressed in a striped prison outfit, dreadlocks and darkened skin makeup, CNN reported Tuesday.

Myers was a member of a three-judge panel that cited that costume for "originality," but later apologized for "a few of the costumes" that she said were "inappropriate and offensive."

The official said she and other managers "deeply regret that this happened."

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

"(Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff) 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," Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner.