Will New Leadership Fuel ICE Reforms? 

Texas Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is Joe Biden’s nominee to head ICE

Texas Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, President Joe Biden’s nominee to head U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, could bring sweeping changes to the long-criticized agency if confirmed, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Although the Biden administration announced new guidelines for the agency, which during the Trump presidency notoriously detained immigrants in sub-standard camps and separated children from parents at the border, the poor conditions have persisted, the Associated Press reports.

If confirmed, Gonzalez, who has long worked with ICE would oversee an agency that has faced both calls for its abolition as well as its continuance. According to the LA Times, the Texas Sheriff has “taken a moderate approach to immigration enforcement” and, as sheriff of Harris County, Texas, ended his department’s participation in ICE’s controversial 287(g) program, which granted deputies federal immigration enforcement powers. However, he still allowed ICE to issue extended “holds” on those detained by his deputies.

Gonzalez said he wouldn’t end the 287(g) program on a national scale last month during his confirmation hearing, which took place before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee — an announcement that drew criticism from groups like the American Civil Liberties Union. As sheriff, Gonzalez supported bail reform and improved access to public defenders, said Alex Bunin, Harris County’s chief public defender. Gonzalez would need 51 votes to become ICE’s new director.