Leadership Shakeup at ICE Amid Trump’s Mass Deportations Push

Key Takeaways

• In May 2025, ICE leadership changed amid Trump’s push for 3,000 daily immigrant arrests, nearly fivefold increase.
• Kenneth Genalo retired; Marcos Charles became Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations.
• Expanded expedited removal applies nationwide for noncitizens present less than two years, accelerating deportations.

In the final week of May 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) experienced a major leadership shakeup as the Trump administration pressed for a dramatic increase in immigrant arrests and deportations. This move comes as the White House, led by President Trump and top aides, sets ambitious new targets for ICE: 3,000 arrests per day, nearly five times the daily average earlier in the year. The leadership changes, operational realignment, and expanded enforcement mandate signal a new phase in the administration’s mass deportation agenda, with wide-reaching effects for immigrants, law enforcement, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸.

Who’s Leading ICE Now? Key Departures and New Appointments

The most notable change is the retirement of Kenneth Genalo, who served as Acting Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). After 33 years with ICE, Genalo is stepping down but will remain as a special government employee, advising field leadership during this period of transition. Genalo’s departure marks the end of an era for ERO, the division responsible for identifying, arresting, detaining, and deporting noncitizens who are in the country unlawfully.

Taking Genalo’s place is Marcos Charles, now Acting Executive Associate Director of ERO, with Mellissa Harper as Acting Deputy. These appointments come at a time when ERO is under intense pressure to deliver on the administration’s arrest and removal goals.

Other key leadership changes include:

• Robert Hammer, previously Acting Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), is being reassigned to a new headquarters role.
• Derek Gordon is now Acting Executive Associate Director of HSI, with William “Bill” Walker as Deputy.
• Additional appointments: Garrett Ripa (ERO Miami), Tatum King (HSI Domestic Operations), Dawnisha Helland (ERO Non-Detained Management), Tom Giles (ERO Field Operations), Charles Wall (Principal Legal Advisor), and Susan Cullen Dunbar (Management and Administration).

These changes reflect a clear effort to align ICE’s leadership with the Trump administration’s enforcement priorities. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the shakeup is designed to “boost arrest numbers and ensure operational loyalty to the White House’s mass deportation agenda.”

Why the Shakeup? Pressure from the Top

The leadership changes at ICE are not happening in a vacuum. They come as the Trump administration, with strong backing from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, demands a huge increase in enforcement activity. The new goal: 3,000 ICE arrests per day. For comparison, from January 20 to May 19, 2025, ICE averaged 656 arrests per day, with the highest recent daily total reaching 1,600—well short of the new target.

The administration’s push for higher arrest numbers is part of President Trump’s campaign promise to remove a record number of unauthorized immigrants from the United States 🇺🇸. Miller has publicly set the 3,000 daily arrest goal and is reportedly pushing for even higher numbers. Secretary Noem is directly involved in overseeing ICE’s leadership changes and demanding increased arrest numbers.

Todd Lyons, ICE’s Acting Director, has been praised by former officials for his experience and leadership but now faces the challenge of delivering on these ambitious targets. Tom Homan, a former ICE Acting Director, supports Lyons’ leadership but declined to comment on the reasons for the shakeup.

How Is ICE Changing Its Operations?

Operational Realignment

ICE’s leadership realignment is aimed at supporting a dramatic ramp-up in enforcement. The agency is not only increasing its own efforts but also working with other federal agencies, state and local police, and even the military to meet the administration’s goals.

Expanded Enforcement Mandate: The Trump administration is using a broad range of government resources to support mass deportations. This includes:

• Federal agencies: IRS, DEA, ATF, Bureau of Prisons
• State and local police: Deputized to help with immigration enforcement
• Military: Involved in certain enforcement and detention operations

Expedited Removal Expansion

A major policy change is the expansion of expedited removal. Previously, this fast-track deportation process was limited to noncitizens apprehended near the border or shortly after entry. Now, it applies to noncitizens found anywhere in the United States 🇺🇸 who have been present for less than two years. This means many more people can be removed without a full immigration court hearing.

For more information on expedited removal, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s official page.

Step-by-Step: The Current Enforcement Model

1. Identification: ICE and deputized agencies identify individuals suspected of being in the U.S. unlawfully.
2. Arrest: Agents conduct targeted or broad sweeps, aiming to meet daily arrest quotas.
3. Detention: Individuals are detained in ICE facilities or, in some cases, military-run centers (including Guantanamo Bay for certain cases).
4. Expedited Removal: Where applicable, noncitizens present less than two years are processed for expedited removal without a full immigration court hearing.
5. Deportation: Removal is carried out via commercial or military flights, with increased logistical support from other federal agencies and the military.

The Numbers: Arrests, Targets, and Resources

• Arrest Numbers: From January 20 to May 19, 2025, ICE arrested 78,155 individuals, averaging 656 arrests per day.
• New Targets: The administration’s goal is 3,000 arrests per day, nearly a fivefold increase.
• Resource Proposals: The administration is seeking Congressional approval for funding to:
  • Remove 1 million immigrants annually
  • Expand detention capacity to 100,000 beds
  • Hire 10,000 additional ICE officers and investigators

These numbers highlight the scale of the administration’s ambitions and the operational challenges ICE faces in meeting them.

What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Communities?

Operational Strain and Logistical Challenges

ICE is under significant strain as it tries to ramp up enforcement. The agency has a limited number of officers, detention beds, and deportation flights. Meeting the new arrest targets will require not only more resources but also greater coordination with other agencies.

Broader Enforcement: Deputizing Non-ICE Personnel

The administration’s approach now involves deputizing other federal, state, and local agencies, and even the military, to participate in immigration enforcement. This is a major shift from past practice and raises questions about training, oversight, and accountability.

Legal and Civil Rights Concerns

The expansion of expedited removal and the use of non-ICE personnel have sparked concerns among civil rights groups and legal experts. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations warn that these changes could lead to:

• Widespread civil rights violations
• Wrongful arrests
• Lack of due process for those facing removal

Many of the administration’s new policies are already being challenged in court, especially those related to expedited removal and the use of military resources for domestic enforcement.

Community Impact

The aggressive enforcement posture is likely to increase fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. Families may be separated, workplaces disrupted, and local economies affected. Some community leaders worry that the presence of federal agents and the military will erode trust in law enforcement and make immigrants less likely to report crimes or seek help.

ICE Leadership Instability: A Pattern

ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since the Obama administration. Leadership changes have been frequent under both Trump terms, contributing to instability and uncertainty within the agency. The latest shakeup, with Kenneth Genalo’s retirement and the appointment of new leaders, is part of a broader pattern of realignment to match shifting policy priorities.

Policy Evolution and Legal Challenges

The Trump administration’s second term has seen a rapid escalation in both the scope and aggressiveness of immigration enforcement. The use of non-traditional agencies and military resources is unprecedented. Legal challenges are mounting, particularly around expedited removal and the use of the military for domestic enforcement. Courts will play a key role in determining how far these policies can go.

Perspectives from Experts and Stakeholders

Migration Policy Institute: Experts note that while the administration has dramatically reshaped the immigration enforcement landscape, it has not yet achieved its mass deportation goals due to resource and legal constraints.

ACLU and Civil Rights Groups: These organizations warn that deputizing non-ICE personnel and expanding expedited removal could lead to widespread civil rights violations and undermine due process.

Law Enforcement and ICE Insiders: Some praise the new leadership for operational experience, while others express concern about unrealistic arrest targets and operational feasibility.

What’s Next? Congressional Action and Future Outlook

The administration is pushing Congress for a major funding package to support its enforcement goals. This includes money for more detention beds, more officers, and expanded removal operations. If Congress approves the funding and ICE overcomes logistical hurdles, daily arrest and deportation numbers could rise significantly.

Insiders suggest that more ICE leadership changes may be on the horizon if arrest targets are not met. The coming months will be critical as Congress debates funding, legal challenges proceed, and ICE leadership continues to evolve under intense White House scrutiny.

Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Families

If you or someone you know may be affected by these changes, here are some practical steps to consider:

• Know Your Rights: Everyone in the United States 🇺🇸 has certain rights, regardless of immigration status. Learn about your rights during encounters with ICE or law enforcement.
• Seek Legal Help: Contact local legal aid organizations or the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) for advice and representation.
• Stay Informed: Follow updates from official sources like ICE’s official website and trusted news outlets.
• Prepare a Family Plan: Make arrangements for childcare, finances, and emergency contacts in case of detention or deportation.
• Document Your Presence: If you have been in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than two years, keep documents that prove your presence, as this may affect your eligibility for expedited removal.

Summary Table: ICE Leadership Changes and Policy Context

Conclusion: High Stakes for ICE, Immigrants, and the Nation

The Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda has triggered a sweeping leadership overhaul at ICE, with new appointments and realignments designed to meet unprecedented arrest and deportation targets. The agency faces significant operational, legal, and political challenges as it attempts to triple its daily arrest rate and expand enforcement nationwide, including through the use of non-traditional federal agencies and the military.

As ICE moves forward under new leadership, the stakes are high for immigrants, their families, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸. The coming months will be critical as Congress debates funding, legal challenges proceed, and ICE leadership continues to evolve under intense White House scrutiny. For those affected, staying informed and seeking legal support will be more important than ever.

For official information and updates, visit the ICE official website.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and conducting deportations nationwide.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) → ICE division that identifies, arrests, detains, and deports undocumented immigrants.
Expedited Removal → A fast-track deportation process for certain noncitizens without a full immigration court hearing.
Deputized Agencies → Federal, state, or local law enforcement granted authority to assist ICE in immigration enforcement.
Detention Beds → Facilities where detained immigrants are held pending removal or release decisions.

This Article in a Nutshell

In May 2025, ICE leadership reshuffled to meet Trump’s goal of 3,000 daily immigrant arrests. Key appointments support expanded enforcement. The administration broadened expedited removal nationwide, enabling faster deportations. These changes intensify operations, raise civil rights concerns, and challenge communities. Legal battles and Congress funding decisions will shape this immigration enforcement surge.
— By VisaVerge.com