Above: Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus
By Shawna Chen | Axios
President Biden will nominate Tucson police chief Chris Magnus, a longtime critic of Trump-era immigration policies, to oversee Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the New York Times reports.
Why it matters: If confirmed, Magnus would be tasked with addressing a border surge that many have labeled the first new crisis of the Biden administration. The U.S. saw a massive spike in border crossings last month, including a record number of unaccompanied minors.
Background: Biden was compelled to choose Magnus because of his efforts as a progressive police chief who promoted community policing efforts, especially in a city close to the Southern border, according to the Times.
- Magnus, along with five other newly installed Homeland Security leaders, would work under DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to lead border security and immigration policies as well as coordinated defense.
“Immigration advocates should appreciate the nomination of Tucson Police Chief Magnus to helm CBP, an agency that faced constant turmoil and criticism in the Trump era for scandals and inhumane border policy. This appointment seems to be in line with the Biden administrations push toward a strict and effective yet humane policy at the southern border.”
Darius Amiri, Rose Law Group Immigration Law Dept. Chair
