ICE Director Removed Over Low Deportations

THE NEWS

The Trump administration reassigned Caleb Vitello, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), on February 21, 2025, due to frustration over the slow pace of deportations.

Vitello will continue overseeing ICE's field and enforcement operations, focusing on arrests and deportations, while a new acting director is sought to accelerate Trump's mass deportation agenda.

TIMELINE

January 20, 2025: Vitello Appointed Acting ICE Director

• Vitello, a 23-year ICE veteran, is appointed to lead the agency on an interim basis. He previously served as assistant director for firearms and tactical programs.

• Vitello informs ICE agents they must meet a daily quota of 1,200 to 1,400 arrests. However, actual numbers remain below target.

February 2025: Frustration Mounts Over Low Deportations

• Trump and border czar Tom Homan express dissatisfaction with deportation rates, citing media leaks as a factor in reduced arrests.

February 11, 2025: Leadership Changes at ICE Enforcement Division

• Two high-ranking officials, Russell Hott and Peter Berg, are reassigned from ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations.

February 21, 2025: Vitello Reassigned

• Vitello is removed as acting director but retains oversight of field operations. The administration seeks a new leader to expedite deportations.

REACTIONS

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin: Caleb Vitello, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was “no longer in an administrative role, but is instead overseeing all field and enforcement operations: finding, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens, which is a major priority of the President and Secretary (Kristi) Noem.”

President Trump: Expressed frustration with the slow pace of deportations, emphasizing the need for more aggressive enforcement.

Tom Homan (Border Czar): Criticized media leaks for hindering ICE operations and called for increased arrests.

WHAT’S NEXT

Madison Sheahan, currently Louisiana’s wildlife and fisheries secretary and an ally of Secretary Noem, will be appointed as ICE’s deputy director, Reuters reported.