AILA Welcomes New USCIS Director Confirmed by the Senate
| CONTACTS: | |
|---|---|
| George Tzamaras 202-507-7649 gtzamaras@aila.org |
Belle Woods 202-507-7675 bwoods@aila.org |
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate on Friday voted 47-34 to confirm President Biden’s nomination of attorney Ur Mendoza Jaddou to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), making her the first Senate-confirmed woman and first person of Arab and Mexican descent to lead the immigration agency since it was created, nearly two decades ago.
Allen Orr, Jr., President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued the following statement: “I would like to congratulate Ur Jaddou on her appointment as the first woman to lead USCIS. To my mind Ms. Jaddou may be the most experienced and qualified person ever nominated to lead USCIS. Ms. Jaddou brings with her two decades of experience in immigration law, policy, and administration.
“For years, AILA members have had to advocate for their clients to an agency transformed from a client-focused benefit agency into a part of the ‘invisible wall’ hindering migrants from bringing their skills and abilities to our shores. USCIS has been plagued by lengthy processing delays, problematic financial concerns and is in dire need of leadership. We look forward to working with Ms. Jaddou as she and USCIS staff administer our nation’s immigration system fairly and justly, to rebuild and restore trust in our immigration system."
The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.