Former Gov. Jack Markell has served as President Joe Biden’s point man for Afghan refugee resettlement efforts.
Markell will serve as the White House Operation Allies Welcome Coordinator. Markell had earlier been nominated for a diplomatic post in Europe subject to Senate confirmation.
Markell will coordinate the Biden administration’s resettlement policy development and engage with state and local governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations to support the resettlement of Afghan evacuees in the United States.
A Washington Post story cited Markell’s experience in managing large, complex organizations as a reason for his selection.
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) praised the appointment.
“Gov. Markell is a dedicated and capable public servant with the experience, intelligence, and character to skillfully coordinate what will be a challenging nationwide effort to ensure our Afghan partners from America’s longest war are safely resettled in the United States,” I look forward to supporting him in this work and to helping rebuild our nation’s capacity to welcome evacuees.”
Gov. John Carney praised Markell’s selection and offered support for resettlement efforts.”
“Delaware is a welcoming state – a ‘state of neighbors,’ as Governor Markell used to say. My friend and our former governor is a great selection by President Biden to lead this incredibly important mission to resettle Afghan refugees in the U.S. These are Afghans who supported American service members over the last 20 years and are coming to America seeking better lives for their families. Delaware stands ready to support this effort in any way possible,” Carney stated.
Markell will face a difficult task complicated by an anti-immigrant sentiment that has surfaced among Biden’s critics and supporters of former President Trump. They claim that security precautions have been inadequate and/or refugees should settle elsewhere.
Afghan immigrants are largely comprised of families of individuals who assisted the United States during its two-decades-long military and diplomatic involvement in that nation.
As governor, Markell became known for bringing in fresh talent state government after his predecessor Ruth Ann Minner relied on former legislators, longtime public officials, and others to serve in those posts.
During his two terms, Markell faced a deep recession that included losing both of the state’s auto plants and a slow recovery.
Markell sometimes ran afoul of some legislators, even in his own party, who did not believe they did not have enough input and were also unhappy with his lack of a legislative pedigree.
Markell, a founding executive of cellphone company Nextel, also took heat for a state aid package for doomed hybrid automaker Fisker and a financial package for fuel cell maker Bloom energy that added to charges for Delmarva Power customers.
At the same time, his administration led the effort to save upwards of 1,000 jobs at the Delaware City refinery.
Markell’s defenders said his efforts have to be put in the context of the loss of jobs during a deep recession.
Before becoming governor, Markell served as Delaware State Treasurer.
Markell was succeeded by Carney, who was attuned to dealing with legislators and tends to appoint individuals with ties to the state government to cabinet posts.
