On July 15, the nation’s attention was focused on Ed Gonzalez, a Heights native, when he faced questions from US Senators at the confirmation hearing to become the next Director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Gonzalez, who has served as Harris County Sheriff since he first was elected to that role in 2016, was nominated to lead ICE in April by President Joe Biden. The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs held a two-hour confirmation hearing in Washington last week At the meeting, I asked Gonzalez about his law enforcement philosophy, his views on ICE, and his past criticisms of the organization.
Gonzalez said at the hearing: “If confirmed, I would welcome this opportunity and see it as a lifetime opportunity to work with the men and women of ICE.” “I want to see us become an effective law enforcement agency. .”
Gonzalez touted his leadership, collaborative spirit, and experience in law enforcement and public service, including his time as a homicide detective at the Houston Police Department, his tenure on the Houston City Council, and his role as a sheriff. It manages and operates a budget of more than 570 million U.S. dollars and is responsible for overseeing one of the largest prisons in the country.
A few years ago, he was asked about his decision to terminate Harris County’s partnership with ICE under Plan 287(g), in which ICE worked with state and local authorities to enforce immigration laws. Gonzalez cited budgetary issues and resource allocation in his reasons, saying that the Houston area has a diverse immigrant community, and he hopes that the Sheriff’s Office “continues to focus on having the necessary means to arrest serious criminals in our community. ”
When asked if he would completely end the project as the director of ICE, Gonzalez said: “This is not my intention.”
Gonzalez said he will seek to strike a balance between adhering to US immigration laws and empathizing with immigrants. He also stated that he will rely on data to help ICE operate as efficiently as possible.
When asked how he defines success as the director of ICE, Gonzalez said his “Polaris is always public safety.” He said his goal is to ensure the safety of the community while increasing ICE’s participation in the community, so people who meet the organization will not be afraid.
Gonzalez said: “I am a time-tested and effective leader who has been tested in battle and knows how to accomplish tasks.” “We can resolutely fight crime, we can resolutely enforce the law, but we don’t have to lose humanity and compassion. .”
If Gonzalez is confirmed as the director of ICE, the Harris County Commissioner’s Court will appoint a replacement for him as the county sheriff.
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Post time: Sep-07-2021