WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration today announced it is nominating Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of Harris County, Texas, to direct U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Gonzalez is a co-chair of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force.
The following is a statement from Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum:
“The nomination of Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to lead ICE is an excellent choice that would bring much-needed permanent leadership — and a risk-based, more humane, measured approach — to our nation’s immigration enforcement.
“His proven track record of pushing for smarter immigration enforcement, as well as advocating for Dreamers in his community, is an encouraging sign that he would run ICE with both practicality and compassion.
“For too long our approach to immigration enforcement has only driven immigrants further into the shadows as families are separated and law-abiding community members are targeted for deportation. With Sheriff Gonzalez’s leadership, we are optimistic that ICE’s approach can instead be one that focuses valuable law enforcement resources on threats to public safety, prioritizing community trust. Such a shift will make all Americans safer.”