Napolitano to leave Homeland Security to head University of California

U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano says she will leave her position to lead the University of California. It's not clear who might replace her, but speculation began almost immediately.

WASHINGTON ? Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano ? a member of President Barack Obama's Cabinet since the start of his administration ? is leaving to become president of the University of California system.

Her departure comes as Obama tries to move a massive immigration overhaul with a divided Congress struggling to find common ground on how to deal with the estimated 11 million people who are in the country illegally.

Obama said Friday that he relied on Napolitano's judgment and advice and also came to "value her friendship." He lauded her work, saying her portfolio had included "some of the toughest challenges facing our country." He said she had worked "around the clock" to respond to natural disasters and helped secure the country against terrorist attacks.

"Since day one," he said, "Janet has led my administration's effort to secure our borders, deploying a historic number of resources, while also taking steps to make our immigration system fairer and more consistent with our values."

In a statement, Napolitano called her four years at Homeland Security "the highlight of my professional career."

Napolitano's appointment to the University California system, which still must be confirmed by the board of regents, could triple her salary from $199,700 to about $600,000. She said she would stay on as secretary until September.

It is not clear whom Obama might be considering to replace her, but names of possible successors began floating within hours of her announcement. New York Sen. Charles Schumer called White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to make a pitch for New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, saying, "We need someone just as good who can fill (Napolitano's) shoes."

White House press secretary Jay Carney declined to speculate on any candidates and said Obama would be "deliberate" in making a choice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dp-politics/~3/fQch8cvK0sA/napolitano-leave-homeland-security-head-university-california

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