New America Media, News Report, Posted: Jan 10, 2012

The White House announced Tuesday that Cecilia Muñoz will replace Melody Barnes as the director of the White House's Domestic Policy Council. Muñoz has been at the center of a debate over the Obama administration's immigration policies.

Angela Kelley, vice president of immigration policy and advocacy at the Center for American Progress, said in a statement, "Cecilia has been at the center of one of the most vexing policy debates—immigration reform, an issue she will continue to drive forward at the DPC. All Americans, native born and newcomers alike deserve an immigration policy that befits the heart of America’s character as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Cecilia’s unparalleled experience as an immigration policy expert both inside government, as the chief advisor on immigration the last three years, and her many years outside of government at the National Council of La Raza and Catholic Charities ensures the issue will receive the needed expertise and finesse at the highest levels of government."