Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has appointed new leaders to head the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency following frustration with the previous director's efficacy.
The Hill reported that Todd Lyons will take the role of acting director and Madison Sheahan will serve as deputy, both charged with revitalizing ICE's efforts in managing immigration enforcement.
This leadership shake-up comes as Noem announces a push to curb information leaks within the Department of Homeland Security, with two individuals referred for prosecution.
Noem has turned to seasoned government officials with diverse backgrounds to steer ICE into a new chapter.
Lyons, previously the assistant director of field operations within ICE, now steps forward as acting chief. His extensive background includes a stint in the Air Force and years with law enforcement in Florida before joining ICE in Dallas in 2007.
Madison Sheahan, who will join Lyons as deputy director, comes from a previous role as the secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Her appointment alongside Lyons reflects Noem's commitment to ensuring effective leadership in tackling immigration issues, a critical area of focus under the current administration.
The leadership change follows the reassignment of previous acting director Caleb Vitello, who was moved due to dissatisfaction with the progress on immigration arrests and deportations.
The slower pace of deportations has been a point of contention, with numbers lagging behind those seen in the final year of the Biden administration.
Noem expressed confidence in the new leader's capacity to meet public expectations. In a statement to Fox News, she characterized Lyons and Sheahan as diligent and responsible leaders, emphasizing their ability to realize the government’s objectives surrounding immigration control.
Beyond leadership restructuring, Noem is also focusing on internal security within the Department of Homeland Security. She has identified what she calls "criminal leakers," referring two individuals for prosecution, and has advocated for measures to increase accountability and safety for enforcement officers.
The issue of unauthorized leaks has been met with a firm stance from DHS, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin supporting the use of polygraphs.
“The department can, should, and will polygraph personnel," McLaughlin remarked, as reported by The Associated Press, underscoring DHS's commitment to maintaining operational integrity.
Under the Trump administration, ICE operations, particularly raids and deportations, have continued. These efforts, however, have not yet achieved previous levels of execution, which has prompted the leadership transition within ICE.
Lyons' promotion reflects an effort to reinvigorate these initiatives, drawing on his comprehensive experience in field operations.
His transition from an administrative role to overseeing enforcement operations is part of a broader strategy to emphasize finding, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens.
This aligns with the directives of both President Trump and Secretary Noem, reinforcing the national priority placed on rigorous immigration enforcement.
Amidst the changes, Noem's focus extends to ensuring the protection of law enforcement officers involved in ICE activities. “Anyone who is leaking information outside of how something is planned for the safety of those law enforcement officers needs to be held accountable for that,” she asserted, emphasizing her commitment to operational security.
With these new appointments, ICE is set to enter a phase marked by leadership grounded in experience and strong operational ethos. Todd Lyons and Madison Sheahan's combined expertise is expected to address past discrepancies and work towards heightened deportation efforts.
