The Obama administration has announced the nomination of John Morton for the crucial role of Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This key appointment within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening immigration enforcement and border security. Alongside Mr. Morton, Esther Olavarria has been named Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, further bolstering the DHS leadership team.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano lauded both appointments, stating, “John Morton and Esther Olavarria are tremendous additions to our Homeland Security team. Both have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to public service and both will be able and effective partners as we tackle the very complex issues surrounding immigration and securing of our borders.” This statement highlights the significance of these roles and the expertise both individuals bring to addressing complex immigration challenges.
John Morton’s nomination brings to the forefront a seasoned career official from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with extensive experience directly related to immigration enforcement and criminal prosecution. His career trajectory showcases a deep understanding of the intricacies of immigration law and its enforcement. Starting as a trial attorney in 1994, Mr. Morton has steadily risen through the ranks, currently serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division.
His expertise is particularly evident in his previous role as Acting Chief of the Domestic Security Section and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, a position he held from September 2007 until recently. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief of the Domestic Security Section. In these capacities, John Morton was at the heart of developing DOJ policy and prosecuting criminal cases related to immigration crime. This included tackling serious issues such as human smuggling, complex passport and visa fraud schemes, human rights offenses (including torture, war crimes, and genocide), and the exploitation of child soldiers. His responsibilities also extended to international violent crime, particularly under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, demonstrating a broad and impactful portfolio.
Further underscoring his deep-rooted experience in this field, from 1999 to 2006, John Morton served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Major Crimes and Terrorism Units of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Before this, he spent two and a half years as Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, with a primary focus on immigration matters. This consistent dedication to immigration-related issues throughout his career positions him as a highly qualified candidate for Assistant Secretary for ICE.
Esther Olavarria, joining Mr. Morton at DHS, brings her own wealth of experience with nearly two decades in immigration policy. Her recent role as Senior Fellow and Director of Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress saw her leading the organization’s work on immigration issues. This included a focus on comprehensive immigration reform, policy development, advocacy strategies, and conducting research on critical immigration matters.
Prior to her work at the Center for American Progress, Ms. Olavarria served as Counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy for nearly ten years, specifically for the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Refugees. As Senator Kennedy’s chief counsel on these issues, she was deeply involved in shaping immigration proposals, including comprehensive reform efforts. Her background also includes experience as Managing Attorney of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Directing Attorney of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Pro Bono Project, and staff attorney at the Haitian Refugee Center in Miami, Florida, providing a well-rounded perspective from legal advocacy to policy development.
The nominations of John Morton and Esther Olavarria signal a strong focus on experienced professionals to lead immigration and border security efforts within the Department of Homeland Security. John Morton’s extensive background in immigration enforcement and criminal prosecution, coupled with Esther Olavarria’s deep policy expertise, are expected to be invaluable assets in addressing the nation’s complex immigration challenges.
