Secretary Napolitano Appoints Dora Schriro as Special Advisor on ICE and Detention & Removal

Release Date: February 4, 2009

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today her appointment of Dora Schriro as her Special Advisor on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Detention & Removal. This is a new position created by Secretary Napolitano to focus exclusively on the significant growth in immigration detention over the last five years, and to focus on the arrest priorities at ICE.

“Dora is one of America’s leading minds on modern, effective prison management,” said Secretary Napolitano. “In Arizona, she visited every correctional facility in the state and conducted a top-to-bottom review of their operations, tackling and reducing both overcrowding and recidivism. Her proven leadership and skills will serve not only this department, but also the individuals we need to house as we enforce our nation’s immigration laws.”

Schriro is one of the foremost experts on correctional policies in the country, receiving prestigious awards from both Harvard University and the National Governors Association for her immensely successful recidivism reduction policies as the Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections for the last six years. She also served as the Director of the Missouri Department of Corrections for eight years.

# # #

This page was last reviewed/modified on February 4, 2009.