Immigrant of the Day: José Luis Betancourt (Mexico)

Rear Admiral José Luis Betancourt is our Immigrant of the Day.  Betancourt serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the San Diego City Schools. Prior to beginning this assignment, he most recently served as the United States Navy’s Commander for the Southwest Region.

Betancourt attained the rank of Rear Admiral and earned numerous awards while on active duty in the United States Navy, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Humanitarian Service.

Mr. Betancourt, the oldest of eight children, was born in Matamoros, Mexico. When he was young, his family moved to Brownsville, Texas and while still in his youth he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Despite the family’s economic situation, his parents insisted that the children finish high school. Later he enrolled at Texas Southmost College (TSC), distinguishing himself academically and in student government. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree, graduating Cum Laude from Pan American University. Betancourt holds graduate degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and completed course work in international relations at Harvard University.

KJ