Biden picks Texas sheriff known for criticizing Trump-era policies to lead ICE
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez at an event in 2020. Photo: Sharon Steinmann/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Biden nominated Ed Gonzalez, the sheriff of Harris County, Texas, on Tuesday to be the next director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Why it matters: Gonzalez, a seasoned law enforcement official, is known for criticizing the Trump administration's immigration policies, per AP.
The big picture: After being elected sheriff in 2016, Gonzalez pulled Harris County out of a federal partnership that allowed sheriff's deputies to enforce immigration laws, according to AP.
- He later criticized then-President Trump for vowing to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, saying he didn't support such a policy.
- "The focus should always be on clear & immediate safety threats. Not others who are not threats," Gonzalez wrote in a July 2019 Facebook post.
What they're saying: "Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is a strong choice for ICE Director," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.
- "With a distinguished career in law enforcement and public service, Sheriff Gonzalez is well-suited to lead ICE as the agency advances our public safety and homeland security mission."
Worth noting: ICE hasn't had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017.