Airport Alert: President-elect Biden to Nominate Alejandro Mayorkas as Next DHS Secretary
November 23, 2020
Today President-elect Biden announced that he intends to nominate Alejandro (Ali) Mayorkas to become the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when he takes office on January 20. Mayorkas is currently a partner at the law firm of Wilmer Hale.
Under the Obama Administration, Mayorkas served as the Deputy Secretary of DHS (2013-2016) and the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (2009-2013). In those roles, he was extensively involved with the Department's border, transportation security, cybersecurity, immigration enforcement, and disaster relief portfolios. He is also a former federal prosecutor.
Mayorkas was born in Havana and came to the United States as a political refugee when he was about one year old. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will be the first foreign-born leader of DHS.
AAAE and its leadership worked closely with Mayorkas during his previous stint at the Department. In response to today's announcement, AAAE President and CEO, Todd Hauptli stated:
Under the Obama Administration, Mayorkas served as the Deputy Secretary of DHS (2013-2016) and the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (2009-2013). In those roles, he was extensively involved with the Department's border, transportation security, cybersecurity, immigration enforcement, and disaster relief portfolios. He is also a former federal prosecutor.
Mayorkas was born in Havana and came to the United States as a political refugee when he was about one year old. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will be the first foreign-born leader of DHS.
AAAE and its leadership worked closely with Mayorkas during his previous stint at the Department. In response to today's announcement, AAAE President and CEO, Todd Hauptli stated:
- 'November 24 is Ali Mayorkas' birthday, but the American people are the ones receiving the gift. Ali is a pro's pro—collaborative, thoughtful and decisive. In short, he is a great leader and will be an outstanding Secretary of Homeland Security.'
