Trump Administration Replaces Acting ICE Head Amid Concerns over Deportation Pace
The Trump administration has removed Caleb Vitello as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to dissatisfaction with the pace of deportations and arrests of undocumented immigrants. The administration aims to ramp up enforcement efforts to fulfill President Trump’s campaign promises of mass deportations.
Rising Arrest Statistics
Despite a significant increase in ICE arrests since the beginning of the Trump administration, the numbers have fallen short of the administration’s targets. From January 20th to February 8th, 2024, ICE recorded 11,791 interior arrests, a 137% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Arrests of undocumented individuals with criminal histories have also soared by nearly 100%, rising from 4,526 in 2023 to 8,993 in 2024.
Border Crossings Decline
While ICE arrests have increased, the number of individuals crossing the border illegally has plummeted. The daily average of known gotaways has dropped by 93%, from 1,960 per day under former President Joe Biden to just 132 per day since the beginning of February. Border czar Tom Homan estimates an overall 95% decrease in border crossings.
Expanded ICE Enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented various measures to expand ICE enforcement, including:
- Removing Biden-era restrictions on where agents can make arrests
- Deputizing officers from other agencies
- Utilizing federal prisons to house undocumented immigrants
- Ending Biden-era parole policies that allowed migrants to enter at ports of entry or be approved for travel into the U.S.
Guantanamo Bay and Sanctuary Cities
The administration has also taken steps to use Guantanamo Bay to house migrants and has launched legal action against sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE.
Temporary Protected Status Revoked
Following similar actions regarding Venezuelans, the administration has terminated a Biden-era extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s replacement of Caleb Vitello as acting ICE director signals its commitment to escalating deportation and arrest efforts. The administration has already implemented measures to expand ICE enforcement and has shown willingness to use unconventional means, such as Guantanamo Bay and legal action against sanctuary cities. It remains to be seen whether these efforts will meet the administration’s ambitious deportation targets.
