Wall Street Journal (Article by Laura Meckler): The White House named Cecilia Munoz as director of the Domestic Policy Council, elevating the president's point person on immigration and outreach to the Hispanic community.
The move comes at the start of an election year in which President Barack Obama is counting on strong support from Hispanic voters, though officials pointed to Ms. Munoz's work on a range of concerns to explain her selection.
Ms. Munoz is currently the director of intergovernmental affairs, serving as a liaison between the White House and mayors, governors, tribal leaders and other officials. In her new role, she'll oversee policy making on a wide range of domestic issues including education, energy and health care. She'll continue to manage immigration policy as well.
She succeeds Melody Barnes, who left at the end of 2011 and has not said what she will do next.
The job puts Ms. Munoz among the president's top aides, landing her, for instance, at the daily 7:30 a.m. senior staff meeting.
Before coming to the White House, Ms. Munoz was a senior vice president at the National Council of La Raza, the nation's largest Latino advocacy group, where she worked on education, health care and other domestic issues, as well as immigration matters. The daughter of Bolivian immigrants, she was awarded a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" in 2000 for her work on immigration and civil rights.
She said in an interview that her goal would be to implement the ideals set out by Mr. Obama in a speech last month where he vowed to fight for the middle class.
"That was a very clear vision and approach for making sure the American dream is accessible to everyone in this country," she said. "That's going to be my guidepost."
The appointment was welcomed by several Democratic leaders outside the White House and cheered by advocates in the Hispanic community, who have long seen Ms. Munoz as their champion.
Many are frustrated by the Obama administration's inability to advance pro-immigration legislation, particularly measures aiding those already in the country illegally, but may see her elevation as an affirmation of his commitment to their issues.
Angela Kelley, vice president of Immigration Policy and Advocacy at the liberal Center for American Progress, said that Ms. Munoz's appointment will benefit a range of policy goals, including immigration, while also sending a positive message to young Latinas. "They can take in the sight of a Latina working shoulder to shoulder with the president and other top officials, carrying the responsibility of the nation's business," Ms. Kelley said.
Ms. Munoz played down the impact her appointment would make on the Hispanic community. "I hope it sends a positive message to the country," she said in the interview. "Ultimately, my career is about making sure the doors are open in this country for everybody."
The appointment, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, comes a day after Mr. Obama appointed budget director Jacob Lew as his new chief of staff. Officials have not said how they plan to fill Mr. Lew's job.
"Over the past three years, Cecilia has been a trusted adviser who has demonstrated sound judgment day in and day out," Mr. Obama said in a statement. "Cecilia has done an extraordinary job working on behalf of middle class families, and I'm confident she'll bring the same unwavering dedication to her new position."
The move comes at the start of an election year in which President Barack Obama is counting on strong support from Hispanic voters, though officials pointed to Ms. Munoz's work on a range of concerns to explain her selection.
Ms. Munoz is currently the director of intergovernmental affairs, serving as a liaison between the White House and mayors, governors, tribal leaders and other officials. In her new role, she'll oversee policy making on a wide range of domestic issues including education, energy and health care. She'll continue to manage immigration policy as well.
She succeeds Melody Barnes, who left at the end of 2011 and has not said what she will do next.
The job puts Ms. Munoz among the president's top aides, landing her, for instance, at the daily 7:30 a.m. senior staff meeting.
Before coming to the White House, Ms. Munoz was a senior vice president at the National Council of La Raza, the nation's largest Latino advocacy group, where she worked on education, health care and other domestic issues, as well as immigration matters. The daughter of Bolivian immigrants, she was awarded a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" in 2000 for her work on immigration and civil rights.
She said in an interview that her goal would be to implement the ideals set out by Mr. Obama in a speech last month where he vowed to fight for the middle class.
"That was a very clear vision and approach for making sure the American dream is accessible to everyone in this country," she said. "That's going to be my guidepost."
The appointment was welcomed by several Democratic leaders outside the White House and cheered by advocates in the Hispanic community, who have long seen Ms. Munoz as their champion.
Many are frustrated by the Obama administration's inability to advance pro-immigration legislation, particularly measures aiding those already in the country illegally, but may see her elevation as an affirmation of his commitment to their issues.
Angela Kelley, vice president of Immigration Policy and Advocacy at the liberal Center for American Progress, said that Ms. Munoz's appointment will benefit a range of policy goals, including immigration, while also sending a positive message to young Latinas. "They can take in the sight of a Latina working shoulder to shoulder with the president and other top officials, carrying the responsibility of the nation's business," Ms. Kelley said.
Ms. Munoz played down the impact her appointment would make on the Hispanic community. "I hope it sends a positive message to the country," she said in the interview. "Ultimately, my career is about making sure the doors are open in this country for everybody."
The appointment, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, comes a day after Mr. Obama appointed budget director Jacob Lew as his new chief of staff. Officials have not said how they plan to fill Mr. Lew's job.
"Over the past three years, Cecilia has been a trusted adviser who has demonstrated sound judgment day in and day out," Mr. Obama said in a statement. "Cecilia has done an extraordinary job working on behalf of middle class families, and I'm confident she'll bring the same unwavering dedication to her new position."
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