Letter Supporting Alejandro Mayorkas for DHS Secretary

As law enforcement leaders, we are writing to support the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas for the position of Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Mayorkas has a wealth of valuable experience in DHS leadership roles and has previously been confirmed three times by the U.S. Senate, serving as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California from 1998 to 2001, as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from 2009 to 2013, and as deputy DHS secretary from 2013 to 2016.

Mayorkas has a record of achievement within DHS, carrying out important reforms to improve the function of the department while working to achieve important policy goals. A proven leader and former U.S. Attorney, Mayorkas has worked to keep the nation secure.

Mayorkas distinguished himself as an administrator within DHS, working to ensure greater coordination among the department’s various offices and directorates, and to increase the agency’s efficiency. He worked to protect the integrity of our immigration system, strengthening the agency’s defense against immigration fraud and promoting fiscal responsibility through stringent budget reviews and cost-saving measures. He also led DHS efforts to protect the homeland, developing and implementing policies and operational plans related to cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and aviation and border security.

In addition, Mayorkas has shown extraordinary concern for vulnerable populations. At USCIS, he 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 addition, he championed smart border security and clear immigration enforcement priorities with an emphasis on keeping communities safe.

Mayorkas is a consensus-builder with a background in law enforcement. He has worked with stakeholders from across the political spectrum, with a track record of working cooperatively with law enforcement leaders, state and local agencies, immigration advocates, employers, and others to advance the mission of DHS.

Finally, as an immigrant born in Cuba to Jewish parents who fled the Castro regime, Mayorkas is a history-making nominee who would be the first immigrant and first Latino to serve as DHS secretary.

Mayorkas understands the balance between keeping the nation secure and ensuring that we welcome the talent and the families that help all Americans reach their fullest potential. We believe he would serve the nation well as DHS Secretary.

We, therefore, urge the Senate to expeditiously confirm his nomination.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Margaret Mims, LEITF Co-Chair
Fresno County, CA

Chief Orlando Rolon, LEITF Co-Chair
Orlando, FL

Chief Art Acevedo, LEITF Co-Chair
Houston, TX

Executive Director Dwayne Crawford
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)

Executive Director Chuck Wexler
Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

President Michael Masters
The Soufan Center

Lieutenant Andy Norris, retired
Tuscaloosa County, AL

Chief Ramon Batista, retired
Mesa, AZ

Chief Chris Magnus
Tucson, AZ

Chief Sylvia Moir, retired
Tempe, AZ

Chief James Lopez, retired
Los Angeles County, CA

Sheriff Donny Youngblood
Kern County, CA

Chief Dwight Henninger
Vail, CO

Sheriff John Mina
Orange County, FL

Chief Roy W. Minter Jr.
Savannah, GA

Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald
Story County, IA

Chief Wayne Jerman
Cedar Rapids, IA

Director of Public Safety Mark Prosser, retired
Storm Lake, IA

Sheriff Kevin Schneider
Polk County, IA

Chief Mike Tupper
Marshalltown, IA

Chief Craig Kingsbury
Twin Falls, ID

Chief Ron Teachman, retired
South Bend, IN

Chief James Hawkins, retired
Garden City, KS

Commissioner Branville G. Bard, Jr.
Cambridge, MA

Sheriff Peter Koutoujian
Middlesex County, MA

Chief Tom Manger, retired
Montgomery County, MD

Sheriff Kevin Joyce
Cumberland County, ME

Chief Ron Haddad
Dearborn, MI

Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead
Durham County, NC

Chief Chris Blue
Chapel Hill, NC

Chief Jose Lopez, retired
Durham, NC

Sheriff Garry McFadden
Mecklenburg County, NC

Sheriff Eli Rivera
Cheshire County, NH

Chief Richard Biehl
Dayton, OH

Chief Doug Woodard
West Carrollton, OH

Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare
Providence, RI

Chief Fred Fletcher, retired
Chattanooga, TN

Chief Frank Dixon
Denton, TX

Chief Claudio Treviño, Jr.
Laredo, TX

Sheriff Lupe Valdez, retired
Dallas County, TX

Chief Mike Brown
Salt Lake City, UT

Chief Adrian Diaz
Seattle, WA

Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht
King County, WA

Sheriff David J. Mahoney
Dane County, WI

*Signatures updated as of January 15, 2021, 2 pm ET*

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