In a welcomed sign, Commissioner Kerlikowske Breaks with 92-year old Tradition

Washington D.C. /Southern Border Region – Today, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that Mark Morgan has been selected as the new Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.

Mark Morgan has over two decades experience with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies. In 2014 he was tapped by Chief Kerlikowske to temporarily lead CBP’s internal affairs office and review complaints of excessive use of force in the Border Patrol, the outcome of which are still pending release to the general public.

Christian Ramírez, Director of the Southern Border Communities Coalition and Human Rights Director at Alliance San Diego, states the following:

“We commend the decision of CBP Commissioner Kerlikowske to select Mark Morgan as head of the United States Border Patrol. The unprecedented decision to appoint a non-Border Patrol agent to lead one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the country is welcomed news for southern border residents. The selection of Chief Morgan signals a recognition of the urgent need to make a clean break from the culture of violence and impunity that has plagued the U.S. Border Patrol. We look forward to our continued working relationship with Chief Morgan to ensure that Border Patrol reflect the highest professional policing practices by implementing sorely needed transparency, oversight, and accountability reforms.”