National Immigration Law Center and Immigrant Justice Fund Statement on Appointment of Immigration Expert Kamal Essaheb

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2021

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149

National Immigration Law Center and Immigrant Justice Fund Statement on Appointment of Immigration Expert Kamal Essaheb

WASHINGTON — Today, the White House appointed Kamal Essaheb, former deputy director of programs at the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), as counselor to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Marielena Hincapié, executive director of NILC and the IJF, issued the following statement:

“The Biden administration continues to signal its commitment not only to undoing the harms of the last administration, but also to bringing to fruition a 21st century immigration system that is rooted in fairness and that honors the dignity and contributions of the millions of immigrants who call this country home. We at the National Immigration Law Center and Immigrant Justice Fund could not be more proud of Kamal’s appointment to serve at the Department of Homeland Security.

“Kamal has worked tirelessly as an attorney and immigration advocate for years, including as a leading voice in the fight to enact, implement, and defend Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). As a former DACA recipient himself, he understands first-hand the needs of immigrants in this country and will bring valuable technical and legal expertise at a time when it is needed most.

“Kamal’s expertise and experience will allow him to hit the ground running in transforming our immigration system. This is a win for immigrants on whose behalf we work every day, for the immigrants’ rights movement, and for our nation as well. Kamal joins many other close allies who have decided to step into public service at this pivotal moment in our country’s history, and for that we thank them. We look forward to our continued work with the Biden administration to leap forward in creating a society in which everyone — regardless of where we were born or how much money we have — has the freedom to thrive.”

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