WASHINGTON, DC– Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced that the Committee today approved the nomination of Julie Myers to be Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by a vote of
7 to 2.
Following is text of Senator Collins’ statement in support of Ms. Myers:
“Ms. Myers would bring law enforcement experience and the confidence of Secretary Chertoff to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ms. Myers has served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Money Laundering and Financial Crimes at the Department of Treasury, and also worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York.
Ms. Myers has the strong support of the Fraternal Order of Police. In his letter of recommendation to the Committee, Fraternal Order of Police National President Chuck Canterbury wrote, ‘Madam Chairman and Senator Lieberman, I am not a politician; I am a law enforcement professional with twenty-six years of experience on the job. Our more than 321,000 members are all law enforcement professionals. If we tell you that a person is qualified for a law enforcement position, you can take it to the bank. Julie L. Myers is such a person.’
The National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Art Gordon, also has written to express support for Julie Myers. In his letter to the Committee, Mr. Gordon stated, ’I am convinced that she does have the requisite background and experience to be the next Assistant Secretary of ICE.’
My decision to support Ms. Myers’ nomination today is the result of careful deliberation. I have met with Ms. Myers twice to follow up on concerns raised at her hearing which I chaired. I am satisfied that she has the skills needed to be successful in leading this challenging agency. It would be a mistake for this Committee to disregard Secretary Chertoff’s absolute confidence and belief in her ability to serve effectively in this position especially since Secretary Chertoff has worked closely with Ms. Myers in the past.
I will cast my vote in favor of reporting the pending nomination to the full Senate and urge my colleagues to do the same.”