Naperville native Kenneth Madsen said border patrol units have been overwhelmed by sheer numbers of immigrants approaching the southern border.
Madsen, director, Chicago Asylum Office of Department of Homeland Security, addressed the Tuesday, April 16, Navy League Aurora Council 247 monthly dinner meeting at Riverview Diner in Montgomery.
He presented “DHS Organization and Agencies, Mission of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Asylum Division / Chicago Asylum Office.” He answered audience questions during his speech.
Commissioned a Naval officer through the NROTC program, he served two tours at sea on board USS Spruance (DD-963) and USS Sphinx (ARL-24) before being assigned as Electrician’s Mate A School Officer at Service School Command at Great Lakes Ill. near North Chicago.
He made a transition to the Naval Reserve where he served in several afloat and ashore units prior to retiring in 2006 as a commander. Madsen joined the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1992 at the Chicago Asylum Office. He later became a Supervisory Asylum Officer and has led the asylum office since 2005.
Madsen earned his law degree from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Purdue University. He is married with two children.
—Al Benson