President-elect Trump is expected to announce his nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the process. The decision is anticipated to face opposition from some Democratic states who are against mass deportations next year. Talks have been taking place at Mar-a-Lago, with a potential decision as early as Friday. The nominee will need Senate confirmation, but it’s still unclear who is in the running as multiple candidates are still being discussed.
Previously, there were rumors that John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field officer, and Todd Lyons, who currently heads the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operation unit in Boston, were top contenders. The transition team is looking for someone with a strong law enforcement background to lead the agency. However, Fabbricatore is now out of the running, leaving Lyons as a potential candidate due to his leadership in the Boston unit and his team’s efforts in apprehending criminal illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities.
Whoever is chosen to lead ICE will be under intense media and political scrutiny as they lead what President-elect Trump has promised to be a significant mass deportation operation. Former ICE Director Thomas Homan has been appointed as “border czar” and is expected to play a key role in securing the border and carrying out the deportation operation. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been selected as the nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security.
The transition team is considering expanding detention facilities to support the operation, with plans for increased beds and detention capacity near major cities. This expansion has already faced opposition from Democratic officials in states like Illinois, Arizona, and Massachusetts, who have refused to cooperate. On the other hand, some Republican states like Texas have offered support by providing land for staging deportations near the border.
The upcoming year will be critical for ICE leadership as they navigate through these challenges and work towards fulfilling the administration’s immigration goals. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.