Cuban-American Alejandro Mayorkas is the new Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States

February 3, 2021

The U.S. Senate confirmed Cuban-American Alejandro Mayorkas as the new Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States during Joe Biden's administration.

The nomination of the Cuban-origin official received approval from the majority of the Upper Chamber, registering a vote in favor of 57-42.

Alejandro Mayorkas was already part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during Barack Obama's administration, when he served as deputy director of the federal agency.

Upon assuming this position within the Biden administration, Mayorkas will have among his assignments the promotion of the new U.S. president's immigration initiatives.

Likewise, the Cuban-American became the first Latino and first immigrant to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio opposed the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas as the new Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States, considering that "he is one of the most radical nominees being considered to lead the Department."

The Republican senator indicated that Mayorkas made "disastrous efforts to normalize relations with the Castro regime" during Barack Obama's tenure, in which the U.S. Government promoted a rapprochement with the Cuban government.

Nevertheless, fellow Cuban-American but from the Democratic Party, Bob Menéndez, did support Mayorkas's nomination.

Meanwhile, Republicans Rick Scott and Ted Cruz also opposed this nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.