Press Release

 

 

For Immediate Release       
Contact: Dan Gordon , 617-651-0841
Nov. 23, 2020

**Biden Cabinet Picks: A Smart Step toward Commonsense Immigration
Solutions**

** **

**WASHINGTON, D.C.**- President-elect Joe Biden is nominating

**Antony Blinken** and

**Alejandro Mayorkas** to lead the Department of State and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), respectively - encouraging
choices for the future of immigration and security policy under the
Biden administration.

Blinken, a former deputy secretary of state under President Obama, has
extensive national security experience. He has spoken out

against the Trump administration's cuts to refugee admissions - this
fiscal year's admissions cap is 15,000 - and called for a refugee
admissions cap of 125,000. The planned increase has been praised

by faith groups, including World Relief, who help resettle and advocate
for refugees. 

Mayorkas, who would be the first immigrant and first Latino to lead DHS,
previously served as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) and later as deputy DHS secretary under Obama. As
deputy DHS secretary, he implemented Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA), set clear priorities for immigration enforcement and
streamlined visa processes for immigrant workers.

Mayorkas, who has a background in law enforcement, also has championed
smart border security and enforcement approaches to streamline DHS while
ensuring the safety of all Americans - approaches that local law
enforcement
leaders have praised
. 

The Homeland Security and State Department positions will be a critical
part of the Biden administration's immigration approach. Mayorkas'
track record of prioritizing national security while creating
opportunities for immigrants to fully contribute and Blinken's
commitment to a robust refugee resettlement program - key points of
the Forum's own Immigration Priorities for a Biden Administration

- are encouraging steps toward more commonsense immigration policies.

"These are very smart choices," said

**Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum**.
"Antony Blinken understands our nation's core value of welcoming those
seeking safety. Alejandro 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. Both
will be essential to a successful Biden immigration approach.

"As we have outlined
,
compassion for immigrants and an emphasis on security do not have to be
at odds, and an approach that champions both is possible. These cabinet
picks have shown the kind of leadership that can make that approach a
reality."

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