The Trump administration has removed acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello from his position after failing to meet deportation goals set by the White House. Vitello will remain with ICE but will now focus on enforcement operations in the field.
President Donald Trump and border czar Tom Homan set a target of up to 1,500 daily arrests, but the highest total ICE recorded under Vitello was 1,100. The White House had been expecting stronger enforcement numbers as part of Trump’s immigration policy.
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 is the latest official to be reassigned within ICE. Earlier this month, Russell Hott and Peter Berg, both senior officials within the enforcement division, were removed from leadership and reassigned to field offices. The administration is actively searching for a new director to replace Vitello.
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
Until a new ICE director is appointed, Madison Sheahan will take over as deputy director, making her the highest-ranking official at the agency. Sheahan, who worked under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, previously served as Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries secretary.
ICE Arrests Texas Bakery Owners for Harboring Migrants https://t.co/zgBvz5W486
— FollowTheMoney (@F_T_M_I_N_L) February 22, 2025
ICE has increased operations in major cities to remove illegal immigrants, deporting nearly 37,700 individuals in Trump’s first month back in office. However, the administration has made it clear that those numbers must improve.
With facilities nearing capacity, ICE is working to address logistical challenges as enforcement efforts expand.
