Carper Meets with President-Elect Biden's Nominee to Lead DHS

Statement

U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released the following statement today after virtually meeting with Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Joe Biden's intended nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

"I have been fortunate enough to work alongside Ali Mayorkas for many years, and I have gotten to know him both as a public servant and a person. He is a man of great integrity and principle, with an incomparable work ethic, who understands the complexities of this critical agency and the threats facing our country at this crucial moment. I am even more sure, after meeting with him today, that he is the right person to take the helm at DHS and begin a new, productive chapter at the agency.

"I was glad to talk with him today about the importance of working expeditiously to fill vacancies at DHS with qualified, experienced individuals who can support him in his efforts to boost morale across the workforce and restore the public's trust in this Department. It's understandable that the American people may be leery of this agency, which was deeply politicized during the Trump administration and used as an instrument to carry out some of its most extreme and harmful policies during the last four years. But Ali Mayorkas appreciates the work that lies ahead of him and his team in order to earn back the public's trust. He is eager to show that he will be a thoughtful leader, and I know that he is well-qualified and well-prepared to hit the ground running on day one.

"We also had an opportunity to discuss the urgent need to address the root causes of irregular migration to our country -- not simply the symptoms. As someone who has traveled to Central America numerous times, it is clear that violence, extreme poverty, corruption and a lack of opportunity has forced too many families to flee for their lives and leave the only home they have ever known. Today, these challenges are being exacerbated by extreme weather, such as flooding and droughts, that are a result of climate change. I look forward to working with President-elect Biden and Ali Mayorkas to seriously address these systemic issues with smart solutions and compassion.

"I believe that the American people are desperate to see individuals at the highest level of our government lead with their actions, not just their words. That is exactly what they will have with Ali Mayorkas leading the charge at DHS. He is anxious to get to work, meet with the men and women at DHS and work with communities across our country to ensure their needs are being met. I hope our committee considers his nomination swiftly, and I look forward to continue working with him in the years to come."

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