“Do I think he’s a bit more left-of-center than I want? Yes, Mr. Sweet said,” adding, “There’s no doubt he’s qualified for the job, period.”
Rand Pears, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama administration, said Biden’s selection made clear that while immigration will be an early focus for the department, the new administration will also reinforce its other responsibilities, such as cyber and physical security. Disasters.
Mr. Mayurcas said that Mr. Mayurcas balanced vigilance against security threats and an interest in helping needy migrants, citing his work in vetting visa applications for Iraqis who assisted the US military. Mr Piers said Mr Mayoras had pushed his teams to undergo thorough reviews of intelligence reports to explore contacts between the applicants and suspected terrorists.
“He took that very seriously and said that we cannot ignore these reports but we also cannot assume the level of communication,” said Mr. Pears. “He is thoughtful. He is analytical and humanitarian.”
Biden’s transition team said Monday, at the Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Mayoras led the agency’s response to the Ebola and Zika outbreak, an experience very relevant to the moment. As Minister of Homeland Security, Mr. Mayoras will oversee the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has played a major role in helping state governments fight the coronavirus pandemic.
“He has seen all the effects of Covid-19 in all sectors of the economy affecting all types of people, and has been immersed in this for months,” said Jimmy Gurelick, a partner at his law firm WilmerHale and a former MP. The attorney general in the Clinton administration. Ms Gorelic has selected Mr Mayurcas to lead the Coronavirus Task Force in the clients’ law firm.
Ms Gorelik said Mr Mayorkas has been paying close attention to Mr Trump’s efforts to reform the immigration system.
