Retiring U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary John Tien is set to retire from his post July 20.
DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas commented on Tien's service and contributions in a June 20 news release.
"Deputy Secretary John Tien is an extraordinary patriot and public servant and a wonderful human being," Mayorkas said in the release. "On behalf of 260,000 of us throughout the Department of Homeland Security – across the country and around the world – I express our profound thanks to him for making our department and all of us the beneficiaries of his dedication to country and qualities as a person for the past two years.
Mayorkas went on to add that Tien previously served in the U.S. Army for 24 years, the release reported. He deployed in three combat tours in Iraq before retiring at the rank of colonial. During his time, he commanded Task Force 2-37 Armor Battalion in the cities of Tal Afar and Ramadi.
Tien then "continued his service as a civilian," serving among other things as the National Security Council's Senior Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan during the Obama administration, Mayorkas said in the release.
"For the past two years, Deputy Secretary Tien has led transformational initiatives," Mayorkas added, according to the release. "He coordinated interagency efforts in support of international pre-screening operations in Operation Allies Refuge; led interagency policy development in Operation Allies Welcome; created innovative programs to disrupt and dismantle international criminal organizations involved in fentanyl and human smuggling; led the development of our Department’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific Region; and much more."
As part of the agency's "international work," Tien's "critical engagements" included leading department delegations to two G7 Ministerial meetings and representing DHS' Department in the Joint Contact Group with the United Kingdom and the Security Cooperation Group with Germany, the release said.
Tien also served as DHS's senior level point of contact with Interpol for policy and operations with and represented DHS "in consultations with Mexico in joint efforts to combat fentanyl following the North American Leaders Summit," Mayorkas said in the release.
"At the heart of Deputy Secretary Tien's work has been his dedication to our single greatest resource: all of you," Mayorkas continued, according to the release. "As our Chief Operating Officer, he has advanced our organizational priorities, including strengthening our training programs, leading the execution of unprecedented hiring initiatives, advancing our departmental budget, improving our facilities and re-empowering our employee associations."
According to the release, he participated in more than 200 employee engagements, including visiting colleagues in 14 states and four countries.
He inspired his DHS colleagues and always led with "strength, character and kindness," Mayorkas added, according to the release. He noted Tien has always advocated for the department's personnel.
"He understands the needs and aspirations of the people whom he leads, and it is those needs and aspirations that guide his focus and his actions," Mayorkas said in the release. "And, ultimately, he is guided by the bedrock of his life of service: doing what is best for America. Our department, and all of us, are better for John Tien’s service as our deputy secretary."
