Alejandro Mayorkas Sworn in as DHS Secretary

On Tuesday afternoon Alejandro Mayorkas was officially sworn in as the seventh Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following a successful Senate confirmation vote. Mayorkas now leads the federal government department that includes the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency, both of which WaterISAC and its partners work with and engage regularly in support of the security and resilience of the water and wastewater sector. Mayorkas previously served as the DHS Deputy Secretary from 2013 to 2016. Prior to holding that position, he was the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Referencing his prior service and the work that lies ahead, Mayorkas stated, “It is the greatest privilege of my life to return to the Department to lead the men and women who dedicate their talent and energy to the safety and security of our nation. I will work every day to ensure that they have the tools they need to execute their missions with honor and integrity.” Mayorkas is the first immigrant to serve in the role of DHS Secretary, having arrived with his parents and sister from Cuba in 1960. Read more at DHS.