Tucson police chief's nomination to head Customs and Border Protection moves ahead

By Michel Marizco
Published: Friday, October 1, 2021 - 8:36am
Updated: Friday, October 1, 2021 - 10:57am

Chris Magnus
Michel Marizco/KJZZ
Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus speaks during a press conference on Nov. 2, 2018.

The Tucson police chief’s nomination to head up the country’s largest law enforcement agency is once again moving forward.

Chris Magnus’ nomination hearing to become Customs and Border Protection’s next commissioner stalled shortly after it was announced last spring. A top Senate Democrat delayed the hearing because he wanted to know more details about the Homeland Security Department’s role in last summer’s Black Lives Matter protests in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden said he spoke with Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas Wednesday.

"With Secretary Mayorkas’ responses and his commitment today to begin this review process as well as for DHS to release by the end of the week, a public version of the report on its Office of Intelligence and Analysis’ actions in Portland, the Senate Finance Committee will begin consideration of Chris Magnus to serve as CBP Commissioner," Wyden posted in remarks on his website.

Citizens in Portland complained that federal agents didn’t identify themselves or even the agencies they worked for during deployments to the city. 

In response, Homeland Security officials this week said they would review the different agencies' use of force procedures. 

Magnus’ hearing has not yet been scheduled.

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