New Director of U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Senate Confirmation of Emilio T. Gonzalez as Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

“I applaud the Senate for confirming Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez as the new Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Securing our Nation’s borders and reforming our immigration process is a top priority for the Department of Homeland Security. USCIS plays a vital role in addressing those priorities, and we are pleased to have Dr. Gonzalez on the team.

Dr. Gonzalez brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to his post, where he will now lead the world's largest immigration service with more than 15,000 Federal and contract employees. Drawing upon his unique experience as an immigrant and his national security background, Dr. Gonzalez is acutely sensitive to the importance of USCIS within the Department of Homeland Security. I’m confident Dr. Gonzalez will be a valuable asset and knowledgeable partner, leading USCIS in exciting new programs to improve customer service, enhance national security, and eliminate the immigration caseload backlog.”

###. For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, Contact: 202-282-8010, December 27, 2005

more at Michael Chertoff or Immigration Services or Homeland Security

Related: Sunday, March 13, 2005 S.394 OPEN Government Act of 2005, Wednesday, March 16, 2005 DHS/IAIP Daily Open Source Critical Infrastructure Report, Sunday, March 20, 2005 TOPOFF 3, counterterrorism exercise,