President Donald Trump has removed ICE Acting Director Caleb Vitello from his position after deportation figures fell short of administration expectations. Vitello, who had been tasked with overseeing immigration enforcement, will now focus on field operations while the administration searches for a permanent replacement.
The administration had set a target of between 1,200 and 1,500 daily arrests, but ICE has not reached those numbers since Trump returned to office. Reports indicate that the highest daily total reached just 1,100, leading to frustration among Trump and border czar Tom Homan.
BREAKING: ICE conducted a worksite raid at a bakery in Texas. They arrested 8 illegal aliens and charged the owners with harboring and aiding illegal aliens.
The owners were charged with 8 USC 1324. This is the same statute Tom Homan has referenced multiple times.
Deport them… pic.twitter.com/PRjhcaxqia
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 21, 2025
Vitello’s reassignment is part of a larger restructuring effort at ICE. Earlier this month, two other high-ranking officials, Russell Hott and Peter Berg, were also removed from their positions and sent back to field offices. The White House has made clear that leadership changes will continue until enforcement numbers improve.
Abby's Bakery Los Fresnos, Texas admitting EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE was illegal and taken by ICE
“They took all the workers from here”
The business has already been updated on Google to say “Temporarily closed” pic.twitter.com/7PDgU9jlg3
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) February 15, 2025
Madison Sheahan has been named deputy director, making her the highest-ranking official at ICE for now. Sheahan previously worked in Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and has ties to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The administration is expected to name a permanent director soon.
ICE Arrests Texas Bakery Owners for Harboring Migrants https://t.co/zgBvz5W486
— FollowTheMoney (@F_T_M_I_N_L) February 22, 2025
Mass deportation efforts have been central to Trump’s immigration agenda, with ICE increasing operations in major cities. The agency removed more than 37,600 individuals in Trump’s first month back in office, but that figure is still lower than previous monthly averages.
