Caleb Vitello, a veteran with 23 years of experience at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been reassigned from his role as acting director to lead the office responsible for arrests and deportations. This change comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to increase enforcement and address frustrations over the rate of deportations. The White House is expected to announce a new acting director soon, as part of an ongoing strategy to ensure ICE delivers on its objectives.
Vitello, personally selected by former President Donald Trump last December, was initially appointed to tackle the administration's concerns regarding deportation rates. As the acting director, Vitello faced mounting pressure to enhance enforcement measures. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson emphasized the need for accountability within ICE, stating that both the president and American people demand results from the agency.
"Ice needs a culture of accountability that it has been starved of for the past four years. We have a president, DHS secretary, and American people who rightfully demand results, and our Ice leadership will ensure the agency delivers." – A DHS spokesperson
President Trump lauded Vitello’s leadership and extensive experience as key factors for his initial appointment. Trump highlighted Vitello’s dedication to ICE’s mission and his potential to enhance community safety by addressing illegal alien crime.
“Caleb’s exceptional leadership, extensive experience, and commitment to [Ice]’s mission make him an excellent choice to implement my efforts to enhance the safety and security of American communities who have been victimized by illegal alien crime.” – Donald Trump
In addition to Vitello's reassignment, the administration also reshuffled other senior officials within ICE. Russell Hott and Peter Berg were relocated due to similar frustrations from the administration. Hott was reassigned to ICE's local office in Washington, while Berg took on a position in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Since President Trump's return to office on January 20th, immigration officials have been making approximately 826 arrests daily. At this pace, the administration is on track to execute nearly 25,000 immigration-related arrests within the first month of Trump's second presidency.
“actually being elevated so he is no longer in an administrative role, but is overseeing all field and enforcement operations: finding, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens” – A spokeswoman for the homeland security department