Alejandro Mayorkas has become the first Latino and immigrant to lead the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)   The DHS is  one of the largest government departments and administers the majority of immigration rules and regulations through agencies such as United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), United States Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), and United States Customs & Border Patrol. 

Secretary Mayorkas and his immediate family escaped from Cuba to begin a new life in the United States. He attended Beverly Hill High school, the University of California at Berkeley, and Loyola Law School. After graduation from law school, Mayorkas worked in private practice for a few years before he was hired as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. In 1999, the former President Bill Clinton selected him to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District. This made him the youngest U.S. attorney at the time. 

Mayorkas also has prior experience with DHS as head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the deputy secretary of DHS itself.

On his first day as DHS Secretary, Mayorkas issued a statement that indicates a new and more compassionate direction for  DHS'  administration of our immigration system:

Today President Biden signed a series of Executive Orders to help restore trust in our immigration system, re-open and reform our asylum process, secure the southwest border by addressing the root causes of migration, and reunite families separated under the Trump Administration. In keeping with our commitment to protect the American people, our homeland, and our values, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security welcomes the President's action to ensure that our immigration system represents the empathy of the American people.

These Executive Orders will allow DHS to take immediate action to address the most pressing challenges we face. Chief among these challenges is reunifying families who were separated during the last Administration.  The atrocity of separating children from their parents is not easily remedied, but I pledge to do everything in my power to bring families back together and connect them with the resources they need to heal.

“As we undertake this work, it's critical that Congress build on these executive actions by passing the legislation proposed by President Biden to modernize our immigration system, responsibly manage our border, and create an earned path to citizenship.”

Badmus & Associates is closely following anticipated changes in immigration policy and procedures under the Biden administration and will post relevant updates as they occur.

This article is provided as an educational service and is not legal advice. Consult with an attorney for your specific circumstances.  For a comprehensive evaluation of your immigration situation and options, you are invited to call us at 214-494-8033 or complete our contact form below.