With deportation figures lower than anticipated, President Donald Trump has replaced ICE Acting Director Caleb Vitello. The move comes as the administration ramps up immigration enforcement but has yet to reach the daily arrest targets set by Trump and border czar Tom Homan.
Vitello, who will remain with ICE in a different role, had been overseeing the agency’s national operations. However, under his leadership, daily arrests topped out at 1,100 — short of the administration’s goal of up to 1,500. This led to frustration within the White House and a decision to shake up ICE’s leadership.
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
The administration has also removed other key ICE officials in recent weeks. Russell Hott and Peter Berg, both of whom held high-ranking positions, were reassigned to field offices earlier this month. The White House has emphasized that it is looking for leadership that can deliver stronger results.
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 interim deputy director and will now oversee ICE’s enforcement activities. Sheahan, who has worked with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in the past, was previously in charge of Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
ICE Arrests Texas Bakery Owners for Harboring Migrants https://t.co/zgBvz5W486
— FollowTheMoney (@F_T_M_I_N_L) February 22, 2025
Since Trump returned to office, ICE has conducted large-scale operations in major cities. In the first month, the agency deported nearly 37,700 individuals. Despite that increase, the number is still lower than the final-year monthly averages under the previous administration.
As detention centers reach capacity, the administration is working to ensure space for additional removals as enforcement efforts expand.
