NILC and NILC Immigrant Justice Fund Statement on Key Domestic Policy Council Immigration Appointments

WASHINGTON — Upon the announcement that President-elect Joe Biden has made two key immigration appointments to the White House Domestic Policy Council, Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement:

“The appointments of Esther Olavarria as deputy director for immigration and Tyler Moran as special assistant to the president for immigration are exciting and welcome developments as the incoming Biden administration continues to build its team. These appointments signal a new day for immigrants, who will have strong champions and allies in the White House in Olavarria and Moran.

“Both Olavarria and Moran have decades of experience working to improve the lives of immigrants through their legal and policy work. Olavarria brings her unparalleled expertise on the complex immigration issues that need to be addressed, coupled with her own immigrant experience. Moran brings a wealth of expertise on a range of issues impacting immigrants from her past work with key stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels.

“NILC applauds these appointments, and we are especially pleased that Moran, who formerly served as NILC’s federal policy director, will play an instrumental role in developing a pro-immigrant agenda under the Biden administration, including creating a pathway to U.S. citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who call our country home.

“NILC stands ready to partner with and support the work of Olavarria, Moran, and all the leaders announced today in their new roles, both as they work to undo the harm from the last four years and also in designing and implementing a boldly pro-immigrant agenda, so that our nation can again be a beacon for those seeking a better life in our country.”

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