This week, the Senate confirmed Sarah Saldaña, as the new head of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Saldaña is a Dallas based federal prosecutor and will become the first Latina to lead the agency responsible for enforcing federal laws regarding border control, customs, trade and immigration.
In a statement regarding Saldaña’s confirmation, President Obama said, “Sarah is the right person to lead the dedicated men and women at ICE in securing our borders, keeping American communities safe, and upholding our values.” The president continued, “Since I took office, illegal border crossings are down and removal of dangerous criminals is up. I’m confident Sarah will help us build on this progress while protecting our country in a smart, effective and humane way.”
Saldaña’s confirmation was in part, facilitated by Senator Ted Cruz’s failed attempt to force the Senate to vote on the constitutionality of the president’s recent executive orders. By doing so, the Senate remained in session throughout the weekend, providing Democrats with a key window of opportunity to confirm a number of nominees to critical positions in the administration.
The incoming head of ICE has had an extensive career in public service and is a highly regarded prosecutor among many democrats and republicans in Texas. The Dallas Morning News recently penned an editorial regarding her confirmation and stated that, “It would be hard to find a more qualified nominee than Saldaña who combines border-state savvy with a tough prosecutor’s sensibility.”
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