[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E144-E145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING LEONARDO MENDOZA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETH VAN DUYNE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 21, 2025

  Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leonardo 
Mendoza, a distinguished law enforcement professional and United States 
Air Force veteran, for his decades of service to our community and our 
Nation. With over 23 years of dedicated service in immigration 
enforcement, operations leadership, and national security, Mr. Mendoza 
has been an integral part of protecting our country through U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
  Mr. Mendoza developed a foundation in discipline, leadership, and 
mission execution early on, serving six years in the United States Air 
Force before joining ICE. In his current role as a Detention and 
Deportation Officer, he leads the development and execution of national 
training programs at ICE's Enforcement

[[Page E145]]

and Removal Operations (ERO) Academy. Throughout his career, he 
spearheaded the creation of a nationally standardized On-the-Job 
Training Program enhancing field training effectiveness, designed and 
implemented a national Train-the-Trainer program aligned with strategic 
objectives of the Warrant Service Officer Program, and supervised the 
Criminal Alien Program (CAP) team increasing arrest efficiency and 
enforcement actions against high-priority targets. Additionally, he 
played an instrumental role in securing a search warrant in 
collaboration with an Assistant U.S. Attorney that led to the seizure 
of heroin and firearms from an aggravated felon.
  Mr. Mendoza's leadership played a crucial role in developing 
collaborations between Department of Homeland Security leadership, 
field operations, and private sector partners. His work has improved 
our national security and operational readiness within ICE. Beyond his 
technical and strategic contributions, Mr. Mendoza has served as a 
dedicated mentor, guiding the next generation of law enforcement 
professionals toward excellence.
  Leonardo Mendoza's long career has made our country safer and our law 
enforcement professionals stronger I thank Mr. Mendoza for his 
distinguished service to the United States, and congratulate him on his 
well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________