Trump to Nominate McAleenan for CBP Commissioner

President Donald Trump will nominate Acting CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan for CBP commissioner, the White House said in a March 30 news release (here). McAleenan became acting deputy commissioner in 2013 and ascended to commissioner on an acting basis after Gil Kerlikowske stepped down with the change of administration in January (see 1611090035). Despite McAleenan's long history within CBP's leadership, this will be his first post at the agency to require Senate confirmation, a CBP spokeswoman said.

Industry groups sounded pleased with the selection and the continuity McAleenan represents. The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's leadership "has worked very closely with him on a number of issues that are very important to our membership and the trade community, at large," NCBFAA President Geoff Powell said. "His background and vast experience at CBP in both security and trade matters will allow uninterrupted progress on critical issues."

The Express Association of America noted McAleenan's "extensive experience across the agency and [he] has demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of CBP's trade facilitation mission," in a statement from the trade group. Mike Mullen, the EAA's executive director, said McAleenan "was a key figure in creating the Air Cargo Advance Screening project, widely viewed as the most successful public-private partnership in the history of the Department of Homeland Security." Airforwarders Association Executive Director Brandon Fried said McAleenan "understands freight forwarders and the challenges that face the industry and we look forward to working with him in the future."