President Joe Biden's nominee to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ed Gonzalez, announced that he is withdrawing himself from consideration for the post. His nomination has been stalled due to an unsubstantiated domestic abuse allegation.

According to his wife, Melissa Gonzalez, that allegation is not true. Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford raised concerns about the old allegation, and this prompted Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to cancel their plans to vote on Gonzalez's nomination.

Ed Gonzalez Decided on Withdrawal After 'Prayerful Consideration'

In his announcement regarding his withdrawal, Ed Gonzalez, who currently serves as Harris County Sheriff in Texas, said that he prayerfully considered what was best for the United States, his family, and for Harris County, which elected him to serve a second term.

Gonzalez then thanked President Joe Biden for considering him as his ICE nominee and expressed his gratitude to the president. He added that he wishes the administration well as it tries to overcome paralyzing political gridlock that threatens not only the U.S. border but also the heart and soul of America.

According to The Hill, the Biden administration did not return a request for comment on Gonzalez's decision.

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Melissa Gonzalez Insists Abuse Allegation Is Unsubstantiated

The domestic abuse allegations, which led to the stalling of Ed Gonzalez's nomination, came from an unrelated suit at Houston Community College (HCC) where Melissa Gonzalez previously worked as the vice-chancellor. An affidavit from an HCC officer alleged that he was called to the Gonzalez home due to a domestic dispute.

However, Melissa Gonzalez herself said that the allegations are false. She said she never made any complaint, and that any suggestion that she made one against her husband was "false and defamatory." She added that any assertions in a said affidavit against her, her husband, or their marriage, are completely false.

The Houston Public Media reported that the lawsuit came from another former Houston Community College employee against the college. It alleged sexual harassment against two superiors at the college, and its affidavit was signed by a former HCC police officer. However, no charges were ever filed against the sheriff, nor was there any evidence to support any claims of abuse or physical violence.

Biden also stood by his ICE nomination and said that the Harris County Sheriff was an "extraordinarily qualified law enforcement professional." The president also spoke of Gonzalez's track record of "implementing progressive solutions to difficult problems," as well as his track record of working with other government agencies, including ICE.

During his time as Harris County Sheriff, Gonzalez had been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, especially its policy on immigration, He terminated the agreement between his office and ICE in 2017, and even declined to participate in a 2019 ICE raid.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

Watch:Sheriff Ed Gonzalez withdraws from consideration as ICE director - KHOU 11