Shake-Up in Trump's Deportation Efforts as ICE Leader Reassigned

The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Caleb Vitello, has been reassigned due to concerns about slow deportation progress under President Trump's immigration agenda. This move highlights the administration's focus on ramping up deportations as a priority. Tom Homan, border czar, aims to increase arrests.

The Trump administration's commitment to accelerating mass deportations faced a recent shift with the reassignment of Caleb Vitello, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Vitello, a seasoned ICE official, will now concentrate on field and enforcement operations, leaving his administrative role.

Amidst mounting White House dissatisfaction with deportation rates, Vitello's replacement remains unnamed. Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the change without specifying reasons. This development underscores the urgency placed by the administration on fulfilling its immigration objectives during President Trump's second term.

Tom Homan, the White House border czar, indicated that while arrests within the U.S. have tripled compared to last year under President Biden, the numbers still fall short of expectations. Homan insisted that no one would be released from immigration detention without higher approval, targeting a reduction in unacceptable release numbers. Notably, ICE has operated without a Senate-confirmed leader for several years.

(With inputs from agencies.)