John T. Morton
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
| John Morton | |
|---|---|
| 100px
official DHS portrait
|
|
| Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Department of Homeland Security) | |
| In office May 12, 2009 – 2013 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John Torres (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1966 (age 57–58) Inverness, Scotland |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia (B.A.) University of Virginia School of Law (J.D.) |
John T. Morton (born 1966) was the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from 2009-2013. Morton was appointed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on May 12, 2009.
Contents
Background
Morton served in the Peace Corps before obtaining a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School and becoming a prosecutor.[1]
Philosophy
In an interview conducted shortly after his appointment, Morton emphasized a need for moderation:
And you're putting people in jail, and that's good work but it's also awesome work. I mean your actions lead to somebody going to jail. So I think, you know, the way to look at Government service is as a great honor and privilege. [...] As a Government employee, balanced perspective is critical, trying to reach the common good is critical. You're not an extreme advocate. Your job is to try to get it right, and that's a very rewarding and satisfying position to be in.[1]
Morton's ICE
One of Morton's first acts in office was an expansion of I-9 audits. These were applied to over 650 businesses suspected of employing undocumented workers.[1]
Morton has also expressed dissatisfaction at ICE's reliance on state and local prisons to house detainees, stating: "Immigration detention is a civil function, it is not a penal function. Over the years, however, the system has largely become dependent on excess jail space."[1] Under his leadership, ICE has constructed a new detention center in Karnes County, TX. Morton calls the new detention facility "sensible, sustainable and attentive to the unique needs of the individuals in our custody”.[2]
Political response
Because he works on controversial issues, Morton complains of criticism from the right and the left. "I can get criticized on the same issue from both sides on the same day," he said in 2010.[3]
References
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]. |
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by
John Torres
Acting |
Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement 2009–2013 |
Incumbent |
<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>
 |
This biography of a person who has held a non-elected position in the Federal government of the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
