Emilio T. Gonzalez

Emilio T. Gonzalez, Ph.D, served as the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an Under Secretary position within the Department of Homeland Security. Appointed by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2005, Dr. Gonzalez led an organization of more than 17,000 federal and contract employees responsible for the accurate, efficient and secure processing of immigration benefits.

Gonzalez announced his resignation to employees the morning of March 13, 2008. His resignation became effective April 18, 2008.

Background

Gonzalez was born in Cuba. Prior to joining the Miami-based international law firm of Tew Cardenas as a consultant, Dr. Gonzalez was Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council, Washington, D.C. In this capacity he served as a key National Security and Foreign Policy advisor to President George W. Bush and Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

An international affairs specialist, Dr. Gonzalez has spent most of his professional career involved in foreign affairs and international security policy issues. He has served in or traveled to almost every country in the Western Hemisphere on numerous occasions, and has represented the United States Government on special diplomatic missions. Dr. Gonzalez remains active in international politics. He often meets with Heads of State, Foreign Ministers, Trade Ministers, ambassadors and political leaders from throughout the hemisphere. Additionally, Dr. Gonzalez is a noted commentator on Hispanic and international affairs and has appeared on local, national and international radio and television programs.

Dr. Gonzalez completed a distinguished career in the U.S. Army that spanned twenty-six years. During this time he occasionally served on special assignment with the Central Intelligence Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, as a military attaché to U.S. Embassies in El Salvador and Mexico, taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point and headed the Office of Special Assistants for the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Southern Command.

A graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa with a B.A. in International Studies, Dr. Gonzalez also earned MA degrees in Latin American Studies from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and in Strategic Studies and National Security Affairs from the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He was awarded a Ph.D. degree in International Relations from the Graduate School of International Studies, University of Miami, where he also received the Graduate School Award for Academic Achievement. He has been awarded numerous decorations from the United States and has also been decorated by the governments of El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. Dr. Gonzalez is a Knight of Malta.

Recognition

Dr. Gonzalez was recognized "One of the Most Influential Latinos in the Country" by Poder Magazine, People Magazine en Espanol, Latino Leaders, Hispanic Magazine, and the Hispanic Business Magazine. He has been awarded numerous decorations from the United States, and has also been decorated by the governments of El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua.