WASHINGTON, D.C. — Police chiefs, sheriffs and business leaders are among those welcoming President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Mayorkas, who has a background in law enforcement, championed smart border security and clear immigration enforcement priorities as deputy DHS secretary under President Obama. He also implemented Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and streamlined visa processes for immigrant workers, allowing hundreds of thousands of immigrants to work and fully contribute in the U.S.
“In a critical moment for U.S. immigration policy, Alejandro Mayorkas’s history-making nomination is a welcome announcement, and we look forward to working with the Department of Homeland Security under his leadership,” National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons said in a statement yesterday.
The following are additional quotes from law enforcement leaders:
Chief Art Acevedo, Houston:
“In his previous work, Alejandro Mayorkas has been a great partner to state and local law enforcement agencies. I know he will continue this partnership in his new role with the Department of Homeland Security. He will bring a commonsense approach to both the department and immigration enforcement.”
Chief Chris Blue, Chapel Hill, North Carolina:
“As a proud member of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF), I am committed to protecting all members of my community and I’m committed to supporting policies that promote our ability to do so. I know, after many years of police work, that when immigrants feel safe in their communities, we are all safer. I am excited at the prospect of supporting Alejandro Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security in their efforts to bring smart and effective approaches to immigration enforcement and in building strong partnerships with local law enforcement.”
Sheriff Garry L. McFadden, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina:
“Having a DHS Secretary who listens, understands the law both on the local and federal level, and who is not hostile to the communities we serve would be truly welcomed by me.”
Chief Chris Magnus, Tucson, Arizona:
“As a law enforcement leader, I have seen firsthand how public safety is impacted in a negative way when members of our immigrant communities fear and mistrust the police. Over the past four years, high-ranking cabinet officials hostile to immigration have gone beyond just harsh rhetoric. This included attempting to make local police complicit in the enforcement of civil immigration laws and even worse, the separation of families. For these reasons, I applaud the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. His track record of building partnerships and implementing smart, effective approaches to immigration enforcement demonstrate his commitment to keeping all communities safe.”
Chief Orlando Rolón, Orlando, Florida:
“Alejandro Mayorkas is a proven leader who understands the importance of balancing the needs for national security and the need to have meaningful immigration reform. As a law enforcement leader I am excited about the possibility of having Alejandro Mayorkas as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under President-elect Biden’s administration.”