08.04.21

Durbin Meets Virtually With Nominee To Lead ICE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who has been nominated by President Biden to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During their meeting, Durbin emphasized the need for the Biden Administration to reform ICE detention and removal policies and invited Gonzalez to visit Chicago and meet with community members.

“After four years of disastrous and irresponsible leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, I had a productive conversation with Sheriff Gonzalez about how we can reform ICE policies and practices to prioritize an effective, compassionate, and humane immigration system in line with our values,” said Durbin.

A photo of their virtual meeting is available here.

Gonzalez, a lifelong Houstonian and veteran law enforcement officer, has served as the Sheriff of Harris County, Texas, since 2016. During his 18 years at the Houston Police Department, he served as a civilian employee, a police officer, a homicide investigator, and a hostage negotiator. After retiring from the Houston Police Department in 2009, Gonzalez served three terms on the Houston City Council, chairing the Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee.

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