I am excited to share with you that Kristie Canegallo will join our Department as our new Chief of Staff on January 10, 2022. I have worked closely with Kristie in the past and know firsthand that she will be a great colleague and of tremendous support to us all.
Kristie has served our country for many years, first in the Department of Defense and subsequently on the National Security Council during the Administrations of Presidents Bush and Obama. Her last position in the federal government, before becoming Google's Vice President for Trust and Security, was as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Implementation under President Obama. In that capacity, Kristie oversaw the execution of major Administration priorities and worked on many issues touching our Department, including immigration and cybersecurity.
I am also excited to share with you that Jennifer Higgins, who has been serving as our Acting Chief of Staff, will become the Deputy Director of USCIS. Jennifer is a career government servant of extraordinary talent and dedication, qualities she shares with all of you. Jennifer assumed the responsibilities of Acting Chief of Staff during her tenure as USCIS's Associate Director of Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations.
Please join me in welcoming Kristie to our Department. Please also join me in congratulating Jennifer for her new leadership role and thanking her for her tremendous work as our Acting Chief of Staff.
We will accomplish a great deal together in this new year. Thank you for everything you do.
Alejandro N. Mayorkas
Secretary of Homeland Security
With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.