Apr 27, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Biden picks Texas sheriff known for criticizing Trump-era policies to lead ICE

Ivana Saric

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.

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Biden picks Texas sheriff known for criticizing Trump-era policies to lead ICE

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