Key Biden immigration nominee to testify amid busiest US-Mexico border in twenty years

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Tucson, Arizona, police chief Chris Magnus’ nomination had been delayed by Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, who cited unanswered questions in regards to the Portland protests final yr. The Division of Homeland Safety has since supplied extra data, placing Magnus’ nomination again on observe.

The listening to comes because the border company, already strained from months of accelerating arrests, faces scrutiny over its dealing with of the sudden arrival of 1000’s migrants in Del Rio, Texas, final month and the continued use of a Trump-era public well being order to quickly expel migrants encountered on the US-Mexico border.

Biden tapped Magnus to move CBP in May. On Tuesday, Magnus plans to tout his border expertise and dedication to commerce, in line with ready remarks obtained by CNN. In his opening testimony, Magnus additionally acknowledges the challenges related to heading the company.

“Quite a lot of colleagues, associates, and members of the family have requested me, ‘What are you pondering?’ Why would I select to tackle the vital however difficult accountability of main CBP at this second?” he’ll say, in line with his ready remarks. “I need to make a distinction.”

US Border Patrol arrests for illegal US-Mexico border crossings have jumped since Biden took workplace, leaving Magnus to inherit an company that is being stretched to its limits. Whole arrests for fiscal yr 2021 seemingly topped 1.6 million — the best annual quantity since 2000, according to CBP data and a supply conversant in the September information, which haven’t but been formally launched.

In mid-September, the Division of Homeland Safety — of which CBP is a component — was caught off guard when thousands of migrants, primarily Haitians, arrived in Del Rio. Individuals who had crowded right into a makeshift camp below a bridge have been left in squalor and uncovered to the weather whereas the federal authorities scrambled to course of and transport individuals out of the area.

Throughout that point, video of Border Patrol brokers on horse patrol aggressively confronting migrants surfaced, sparking public backlash in addition to sharp condemnation from Biden and different senior administration officers.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, regardless of assurances from Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that it will be accomplished in days, not weeks.

If confirmed, Magnus will take the helm of the biggest legislation enforcement company and the second-largest revenue-collecting supply within the federal authorities. He additionally served for 10 years as police chief for Richmond, California, and previous to that as police chief in Fargo, North Dakota, in line with the division’s biography.

The CBP commissioner is accountable for overseeing border safety on the nation’s airports and land border crossings, in addition to the company’s huge commerce and journey mission.

“I do know all too nicely the influence that commerce and its financial results can have on America’s communities. As a police officer in Lansing, Michigan, I noticed firsthand what occurred when the US auto trade struggled through the 80s and 90s,” Magnus is anticipated to say. “If confirmed to steer this company, I’ll work with this Committee and with Congress to guard mental property, US agriculture, and the numerous merchandise that People depend upon.”

Magnus can even tackle the company’s function in combating pressured labor overseas, calling it one in all his “excessive priorities.”

The border company hasn’t had a confirmed chief since Kevin McAleenan resigned through the Trump administration. Troy Miller, a profession official, has been serving because the performing commissioner since Biden took workplace. Underneath Miller’s tenure, a number of high-profile profession officers resigned, together with former US Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott and CBP Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, one other immigration company below DHS, can be ready for the Senate to verify its nominee, Ed Gonzalez.

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