Jul 1, 2013 - NHLA Applauds Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
July 1, 2013

Latino Leaders Also Call For Swift Confirmation of Thomas Perez and Katherine Archuleta When Senate Returns From Independence Day Recess

NHLA congratulates USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas, President Barack Obama's nominee to serve as the next Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 36 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, issued the following statement in support of President Barack Obama's nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

"On the heels of a historic Senate vote on immigration, President Barack Obama makes an important appointment by designating established and well-respected leader, Alejandro Mayorkas, as the second in command at the Department of Homeland Security. We applaud the President for his foresight in filling the vacancy of Deputy Secretary with the former Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

"Yesterday's nomination not only exemplifies the level of priority that effective implementation of our immigration policies will have on the country, but it is also a step forward in the fight to increase representation of Latinos in federal and state executive positions. As the Director of the USCIS, Mayorkas was charged with overseeing the largest immigration system in the world, and the genuine passion he brought to that work will translate very well to his new position as the head of all operations in the DHS.

"Mayorkas is exemplary of the great talent pool the Latino community can offer the Executive branch. He has a long record of professional excellence and dedication to public service. His accomplishments also include serving as the youngest United States Attorney and as a partner at top international law firm O’Melveny & Myers LLP for 8 years.

"NHLA urges the Senate to move forward swiftly in confirming Alejandro Mayorkas as well as Katherine Archuleta, the President's nominee to head the Office of Personnel Management, and Thomas Perez, Obama's nominee to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Understanding that the Senate vote to confirm Mr. Perez is expected in early July, NHLA calls on the Senate to recognize Mr. Perez's bipartisan support and outstanding record promoting justice and creating equality of opportunity for America's diverse workers. The Latino community will be watching as the Senators cast their votes and we urge them to vote in support of Perez without further delay."

NHLA’s Latino Appointments Program has been working to cultivate and showcase the large pool of qualified Latinos in a historic effort to substantially increase the rate of Latinos in the federal workforce, in the President’s administration and in state-level appointments. The program is hosting outreach events across the nation and most recently held launch events and resume drops in Washington, D.C., in Las Vegas, Nevada during the LULAC Convention, and in Chicago, Illinois during the NALEO conference.

Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.latinoappointments.org and follow @NHLAgenda.

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