News Update: Morton Approved as Head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement

I just got word that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the nomination of John T. Morton as assistant Homeland Security secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Until his confirmation tonight, Morton was acting as deputy assistant attorney of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. He is a career prosecutor. According to the associated press, he began his career as a trail attorney with DoJ in 1994 and has "developed department policies for immigration crime--including human smuggling and passport and visa fraud."

Morton is considered one of three key appointments made by Secretary Napolitano so far to staff the Department of Homeland Security with people experienced and capable of handling immigration issues. Others include Esther Olavarria and Dora Schriro.