The woman who has led the U.S. Department of Homeland Security since 2008 is stepping down from her post.



Janet Napolitano said on July 12 that she has accepted a job as president of the University of California and will leave the security agency, which was created in response to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.



Its 240,000 employees predominantly focus on aviation, border, and cybersecurity issues. During her tenure, Napolitano was a strong proponent of immigration reform and helped establish a plan to provide temporary relief from deportation for thousands of young immigrants who arrived in the United State as children illegally and lack legal status.



President Barack Obama thanked Napolitano for her service and said: “The American people are safer and more secure thanks to [her] leadership.”





With reporting by AP and Reuters

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