Emilio T. Gonzalez
Encyclopedia
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.
into a Spanish family of ancient lineage. 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 served with the 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. He retired with the rank of Colonel.
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 and a Knight of the Sacred Constantinian Order of St. George. In 2010, he was inducted into the College of Nobles of the Principality of Asturias (Spain).
, Mexico
, Colombia
, Guatemala
, the Dominican Republic
, Honduras
, Panama
and Nicaragua
. He was recognized as the Distinguished Alumnus 2010 by the University of South Florida.
Gonzalez announced his resignation to employees the morning of March 13, 2008. His resignation became effective April 18, 2008.
Background
Gonzalez was born in CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
into a Spanish family of ancient lineage. 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
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
.
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 served with the Defense Intelligence Agency
Defense Intelligence Agency
The Defense Intelligence Agency is a member of the Intelligence Community of the United States, and is the central producer and manager of military intelligence for the United States Department of Defense, employing over 16,500 U.S. military and civilian employees worldwide...
, as a military attaché to U.S. Embassies in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, 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. He retired with the rank of Colonel.
A graduate of the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
in Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
with a B.A. in International Studies, Dr. Gonzalez also earned MA degrees in Latin American Studies from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
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 and a Knight of the Sacred Constantinian Order of St. George. In 2010, he was inducted into the College of Nobles of the Principality of Asturias (Spain).
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 SalvadorEl Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
. He was recognized as the Distinguished Alumnus 2010 by the University of South Florida.