Bernard Kerik to Replace DHS Secretary Ridge
Posted Dec 10, 2004; updated Dec 17, 2004
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[Since publication of this article, Mr. Kerik, withdrew  himself from consideration for the position. Read more details in our Dec 17, 2004 article, DHS Nominee Withdraws over Immigration Issue.]
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We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C., reported to MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers on December 3, 2004, that the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Tom Ridge, had resigned his position. That article, Secretary Tom Ridge Resigns, is available on MurthyDotCom. The President has since nominated Bernard Kerik to replace Secretary Ridge.
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Mr. Kerik has had a long career in civil service, primarily in the enforcement field. Mr. Kerik has served as an enlisted military police officer in Korea, a jail warden in New Jersey, a beat cop in Manhattan, the New York City corrections Commissioner, and New York's 40th police commissioner. In his capacity as police commissioner, he was at Ground Zero in New York City following the attacks on September 11th.
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As with all such nominations made by the President, the Senate must confirm Mr. Kerik before he can become the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Ridge will remain in the position until the Senate completes its confirmation process.
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Most of the revenues for the USCIS and the DHS are generated from fee-paying clients like U.S. employers, employees in the United States, and families filing service-based petitions. Enforcement aspects like removal proceedings and incarcerating criminals do not provide any revenues for DHS to be able to enforce our immigration laws. General concern over Mr. Kerik's nomination and likely confirmation is that, as a person who has been in charge of enforcement aspects all his life, he may be less able to understand the importance and value in providing assistance to the users of immigration services. Users, such as employers and employees, provide much-needed skills to strengthen the U.S. economy. Families seeking to be reunited with their loved ones also are in need of help and understanding.