Biden's Nominee for Border Chief Chris Magnus Supports Black Lives Matter and Police Reforms
President Joe Biden announced his nomination for Tucson, Arizona's Police Chief, Chris Magnus, to be the border chief or commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. The announcement of Magnus' nomination was made by the president himself on Monday.
Magnus' nomination is one of the top posts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to a report from AZ Central. But apart from being the Police Chief of Tucson, Arizona, Magnus was also known to advocate Black Lives Matter, alongside pushing for police reforms.
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Chris Magnus on Black Lives Matter and Other Advocacy
The law enforcement figure made the headlines in 2014 when he was seen in a protest for the Black Lives Matter in Richmond, California, according to The Washington Examiner report. The nominated border chief stood alongside demonstrators in the area while holding a sign that reads #BlackLivesMatter.
Magnus' photo was taken while wearing his uniform on the protest, according to Mail Online. Because of his presence in the demonstration, his photo went viral. During that time, the people were protesting the death of two Black men who died in an officer-involved shooting.
"I am of course very honored to be nominated by the President to lead Customs and Border Protection," said Magnus in a statement. Magnus furthered that he is looking forward to working with the senators and lending an ear to what they think and what concerns them.
Chris Magnus released a video in June last year featuring a Latino man who lost his life in custody. Ashamed of the terrible treatment by his department, Magnus offered his resignation and called for a full-scale internal investigation, urging his officers to do better.
Magnus is also known to have implemented evidence-based practices, along with his promotion of reform. Magnus is also known to insist on police accountability.
Chis Magnus as Border Chief
If the nomination will be confirmed by the Senate, Chris Magnus will lead the nation's largest law enforcement agency that is housing about 60,000 officers and agents. 20,00 among them are from the Border Patrol, and the remaining functions with the Office of Field Operations, composed of people on land, air, and seaports of entry.
Magnus emphasized in his statement that he will still function and stay committed as Tucson's Chief of Police while the Senate is in the process of his deliberation. Magnus highlighted that the confirmation process is never a certainty.
The announcement of Chris Magnus as being nominated for the border chief role follows Roberta Jacobson's resignation from the National Security Council. Jacobson was the former border coordinator and special assistant of the president. She is set to step down from her role by the end of April.
The White House also acknowledged Magnus' closeness in the border to be the extensive experience that will help him in addressing the immigration issues.
Apart from Chris Magnus as the border chief, the Biden administration is reportedly eyeing other individuals for the Department of Homeland Security. The Washington Examiner noted that some of them will take the role in cybersecurity, and at least two of the eyed individuals formerly served the Obama Administration.
READ MORE: Sen. John Barrasso Says He Was Told to Delete Photos From Border Facilities
WATCH: Biden nominates Chief Chris Magnus to lead Customs and Border Protection - from News 4 Tucson KVOA-TV