Who are Alejandro Mayorkas’ Parents? – Alejandro Mayorkas is an American attorney and politician of Cuban descent, currently serving as the seventh United States Secretary of Homeland Security since February 2, 2021.
Born on November 24, 1959, his extensive career in public service spans various roles, notably within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during the Obama administration.
Who are Alejandro Mayorkas’ Parents?
Alejandro’s father, Charles R. “Nicky” Mayorkas, a Cuban Jew with Sephardi and Ashkenazi heritage, hailed from a family deeply rooted in Cuba. Nicky Mayorkas, an alum of Dartmouth College where he pursued economics, had operated a steel wool factory on the outskirts of Havana before the family’s relocation.
On the other side, Alejandro’s mother, Anita (Gabor), brought a rich history as a Romanian Jew. Her family, having escaped the horrors of the Holocaust, found refuge in Cuba in the 1940s. However, the specter of political change prompted them to embark on a journey to the United States following the Cuban Revolution.
The Mayorkas family’s narrative reflects a blend of resilience, cultural diversity, and the pursuit of a better life in the face of historical challenges. These early experiences undoubtedly played a role in shaping Alejandro Mayorkas’s later commitment to public service and his distinguished career in law and politics.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Alejandro Mayorkas and his family sought refuge in Florida after the Cuban Revolution, eventually settling in California. He excelled academically, graduating with honors in history from UC Berkeley and later earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Loyola Marymount University.
Alejandro Mayorkas commenced his legal career as an Assistant United States Attorney and eventually assumed the role of the United States attorney for the Central District of California in Los Angeles during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. In this capacity, he oversaw the prosecution of high-profile criminal cases, showcasing his commitment to upholding the law.
His involvement in public service deepened when he joined the presidential transition team for Barack Obama, leading the team responsible for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. President Obama later appointed Mayorkas as the director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). His nomination was confirmed by the Senate in August 2009. As USCIS director, Mayorkas implemented significant changes, enhancing management efficiencies and fiscal responsibility while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the swift implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process.
Mayorkas demonstrated exceptional leadership during crises, leading U.S. government efforts to rescue orphaned children following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010. Additionally, he spearheaded the development of a crime victims unit, facilitating the issuance of the statutory maximum number of visas to victims of crime, marking a significant step forward.
In 2016, Mayorkas transitioned to private practice, joining the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr in Washington, D.C. However, his dedication to public service persisted.
President-elect Joe Biden recognized Mayorkas’s capabilities and, on November 23, 2020, announced his nomination as the Secretary of Homeland Security. The nomination garnered widespread support, including endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police and former secretaries Tom Ridge, Michael Chertoff, Janet Napolitano, and Jeh Johnson.
Facing significant opposition in the Senate, Mayorkas was confirmed on February 2, 2021, with a 56–43 vote. His swearing-in ceremony was officiated by Vice President Kamala Harris. Notably, Mayorkas made history as the first refugee and the first person born in Latin America to lead the Department of Homeland Security. His confirmation affirmed his stature as a highly qualified and resilient leader in the realm of national security.
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
Categories: News
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
