Additional Coverage:
- DHS names new acting ICE director (abcnews.com)
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that Dave Venturella, a former career ICE agent, will take over as Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the departure of current Acting Director Todd Lyons at the end of the month.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed the leadership change, noting that Venturella is a close associate of border czar Tom Homan and has experience working with a private prison company. This appointment aligns with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s strategy to select a low-profile leader to manage the agency, which operates with the largest law enforcement budget in the country.
Todd Lyons, who announced his resignation last month, cited family reasons for stepping down. In his resignation letter, Lyons expressed his desire to spend more time with his sons during a critical stage of their lives. He also expressed confidence in ICE’s continued ability to carry out its mission with professionalism and integrity.
It remains unclear whether Venturella will be nominated for a permanent role or serve solely in an acting capacity. Notably, ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017.
During his time as acting director in the first year of President Trump’s second term, Lyons oversaw a significant expansion of ICE, supported by the substantial funding included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” tax and policy package championed by the Trump administration. Lyons’ tenure also saw an increase in federal immigration enforcement efforts in major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis, fulfilling a key campaign promise by President Trump.
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- DHS names new acting ICE director (abcnews.com)