[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 134 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Ur Mendoza Jaddou

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, for almost 20 years, U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services, known as USCIS, has been charged with defending 
America's status as the land of opportunity. The Agency has nearly 
20,000 employees. They operate in 220 offices around the world, where 
they provide assistance to immigrants seeking a new life in America and 
help protect America from any foreign threats.
  But after 4 years of neglect and mismanagement under the Trump 
administration, USCIS is in dire need of leadership. Today, the Senate 
has an opportunity to provide that Agency with that leadership by 
confirming Ur Jaddou as USCIS Director. Ms. Jaddou may be the most 
qualified person ever to be nominated for this job. She has nearly 20 
years of experience in immigration law, policy, and administration. She 
is the daughter of immigrants from Mexico and Iraq. She personally 
understands the importance of ensuring our Nation's immigration system 
is both accessible and safe. And if confirmed, Ms. Jaddou would make 
history as the very first woman to lead USCIS.
  Let me tell you a little bit about her background. Ms. Jaddou began 
her career working on immigration policy and oversight for 9 years in 
the House of Representatives. She worked for my friend and former 
colleague Zoe Lofgren of California, who is the authoritative voice on 
immigration in the House of Representatives.
  Following that role, Ms. Jaddou served as a senior official in the 
State Department and then as Chief Counsel at USCIS. As the Agency's 
highest ranking legal officer, Ms. Jaddou not only sharpened her 
mastery of immigration law, she also gained valuable experience 
navigating USCIS's administrative complexities and operations. As Chief 
Counsel at this Agency, she managed more than 220 attorneys who support 
the work of tens of thousands of USCIS employees who are located in 
offices around the world.
  Ms. Jaddou's extensive background is exactly what we need at this 
moment.
  As I mentioned, the Trump administration led a deliberate effort to 
undermine this Agency's work. You remember--anything relating to 
immigration, the Trump administration tried to create a problem. For 
instance, when the former President took office, USCIS had 
approximately $800 million in cash reserves. Not bad. Four years later, 
those cash reserves had been virtually depleted, putting thousands of 
Federal employees at the Agency at risk of being furloughed in the 
middle of a pandemic.
  These Federal employees deserve leadership that advocates for their 
interests and supports their work. Ms. Jaddou is that person. In fact, 
the union that represents over 13,000 USCIS employees published a 
letter in support of her nomination, writing: ``Ms. Jaddou is well-
acquainted with the significant financial and operational challenges 
facing the Agency.''
  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a letter in support of her 
nomination as well. They wrote: ``Ms. Jaddou's knowledge and experience 
would be indispensable in providing the critical leadership needed to 
stabilize the agency.''
  Leaders inside government and outside government recognize that Ms. 
Jaddou is the legal expert our Nation needs to take the reins of this 
vital Agency.
  Given the urgent need for Senate-confirmed leadership to address the 
critical issues they face, as well as Ms. Jaddou's eminent 
qualifications for that position, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting her nomination