NILC and NILC Immigrant Justice Fund Statement on Nomination of Merrick Garland for U.S. Attorney General

WASHINGTON — On January 8, 2021, Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement on the nominations of Judge Merrick Garland for U.S. attorney general, Kristen Clarke for assistant attorney general for Civil Rights, and Vanita Gupta for associate attorney general.

“Merrick Garland is the right person at the right time to lead the U.S. Department of Justice. After four years of lawlessness and devaluing of our country’s moral and ethical code, it is vital that the United States again restore its respect for justice, due process, and equitable enforcement of the laws of our nation.

“As the next attorney general, Merrick Garland will be faced with significant challenges, including legal battles still in the courts over Trump’s anti-immigrant policies. We look forward to working closely with Garland in his capacity as attorney general to restore our country’s moral standing in the world and again become a beacon of hope for those seeking a better life.

“We applaud President-elect Biden’s nominations of top leaders in our legal profession to lead the Department of Justice along with Merrick Garland, including Lisa Monaco, who will be an experienced deputy attorney general and will be able to lead from day one. We at NILC look forward to working with her to reverse the devastating anti-immigrant policies adopted by the Trump administration.

“We are particularly thrilled to have our close colleagues Vanita Gupta and Kristen Clarke also named to the leadership of DOJ. Gupta is an impeccable choice to serve as associate attorney general, having previously led the Civil Rights Division under President Obama. She is exactly the visionary leader we need now more than ever, and the department, and the American people, will be well served by her.

“Clarke is a tireless fighter for civil rights, and she is the right person to lead the department’s Civil Rights Division. The Civil Rights Division will play a key role in restoring the DOJ’s reputation with communities that count on its unwavering commitment to uphold civil and constitutional rights for all, particularly voting rights, which are critical to safeguarding our democracy.”

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