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Inside ICE: Volume 3, Issue 1
Julie Myers Joins ICE As New Assistant Secretary




Saying it was an honor to join the ICE team, Julie L. Myers began serving as ICE’s Assistant Secretary on January 9.

Prior to her appointment as the leader of ICE, Ms. Myers served as special assistant to the President for presidential personnel. Before holding that position, she served as assistant secretary for export enforcement at the Department of Commerce. Previous to her service with the Commerce Department, Ms. Myers was the chief of staff for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice.

She also served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, prosecuting a variety of criminal cases, ranging from drug smuggling and immigration fraud cases to complicated money laundering investigations.

Ms. Myers received her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and her J.D. from Cornell Law School.

“Since its creation in 2003, ICE has been at the forefront of our effort to protect

America from the threat of terror and criminal activities,� Myers said in a letter to ICE employees. “ICE has achieved significant success in combating immigration and customs violations during this time. In my view, this success is attributable to one thing: ICE employees. From agent to analyst to attorney, and from Laredo to Los Angeles to London, ICE’s achievements stem from the hard work and dedication of each and every one of you.�

Myers said she will take concrete steps to ensure that the agency’s forward progress continues under her leadership, and:

Help attract, recruit, and retain the best agents, analysts, lawyers, law enforcement officials, and support staff in all of law enforcement;
Strengthen ICE’s administrative structure to support the field from agency headquarters;
Aggressively seek the financial resources ICE needs to carry out all aspects of its mission; and
Serve as a forceful advocate for ICE within DHS, the federal government, and private industry.
“Although the demands are great, this is an exciting time for ICE,� Myers said. “The enforcement of our country’s immigration laws is in the spotlight right now, and ICE is playing a leading role as we move forward with the DHS Secretary’s Secure Border Initiative. I am also particularly interested in further developing ICE’s effectiveness in financial and strategic investigations, and providing support for the critical role that the Federal Protective Service plays in carrying out ICE’s mission. Moreover, our intelligence capabilities should be strengthened and utilized to more directly support our investigations. Through the successful combination of immigration and customs authorities, along with our intelligence capabilities, ICE is fighting terrorism and protecting American citizens in ways that were not possible prior to the agency’s creation.�

In a message to all DHS employees announcing Myers' appointment, DHS Secretary Chertoff said Myers has extensive law-enforcement experience and is well known throughout the law enforcement community.

"I look forward to working with Ms. Myers as she leads our team at ICE working to prevent acts of terrorism and to detect and prevent threats to our national security," Chertoff said.

Myers noted that during her time at the Justice Department’s Criminal Division she had the opportunity to work closely with DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. She looks forward to having the further opportunity to work with Chertoff as an advocate for ICE’s goals and agenda, and plans to enhance ICE’s coordination with U.S. Attorney’s offices across the country to maximize the impact of our criminal investigations.

Myers praised the work of Deputy Assistant Secretary John Clark during this transitional period, saying his dedication during the last four months have made ICE an even stronger organization.

“As Assistant Secretary, I look forward to working with him, the other senior managers, and all of you to continue further advancing ICE as one of the nation’s preeminent law enforcement agencies,� Myers said.

ICE’s new assistant secretary said that in the months ahead she will travel to ICE offices around the country and that she looks forward to meeting and talking with many ICE employees.

“During these visits, I want to hear from you about what ICE should be doing, what you are worried we aren’t doing enough of, and what you think the agency should invest in to become even more successful,� Myers said. “Your input is critical if we are to succeed.�