The Trump administration is reportedly considering a significant restructuring of senior leadership within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This change could potentially involve replacing current field office leaders with officials from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). According to several law enforcement officials, this move aims to enhance deportation efforts, aligning with the White House's ongoing push for stricter immigration enforcement.
As many as 12 field office directors could be replaced in the near future, with sources indicating that the transition may take place within days. These field offices span key locations across the country, from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. The initiative is being driven by prominent figures including Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Commander at Large Greg Bovino. This strategic leadership shift is designed to increase the efficiency of deportations and enforce the administration’s immigration policies more aggressively.
Greg Bovino’s tactics have sparked controversy, attracting the attention of at least one federal judge who summoned him to testify regarding possible disregard for a court order. Despite this scrutiny, Bovino has received commendations from senior leadership within DHS, suggesting that his approach resonates with certain factions of the department.
This proposed leadership change would mark a notable departure for ICE, an agency that has historically favored internal promotions for its leadership positions. Such a shift raises questions about the future of the agency and its alignment with the broader goals of the Trump administration.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to address the developments, stating, “This is one team, one fight.” She emphasized the administration's commitment to fulfilling the American people’s mandate to remove criminal illegal aliens from the country. McLaughlin further noted that while there are currently no personnel changes to announce, the department remains “laser focused on RESULTS” and is committed to delivering on its immigration enforcement objectives.
