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The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official David Venturella will become the agency’s new acting director following the departure of Todd Lyons at the end of May 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, confirmed the leadership change on Tuesday.
Venturella previously worked for GEO Group, one of the largest private prison companies in the United States, before rejoining ICE last year. GEO Group manages numerous federal immigrant detention centers across the country, placing Venturella at the center of ongoing debates surrounding immigration detention policies and private prison involvement in federal enforcement operations.
ICE has operated for several years without a Senate-confirmed director, relying instead on acting leadership since early 2017. Venturella has served under both Republican and Democratic administrations and is viewed as an experienced figure within the agency during a period of intensified immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration has expanded immigration crackdowns since returning to office, arguing that stricter border enforcement and deportation efforts are necessary to reduce illegal immigration and strengthen national security. However, civil rights organizations and immigrant advocacy groups have sharply criticized the administration’s policies, claiming they undermine due process rights and create fear among minority communities.
Recent controversy surrounding ICE includes criticism over detention conditions and the growing number of deaths reported in custody. Advocacy groups say at least 18 detainees have died in ICE facilities during the first four months of 2026, following 31 deaths reported in 2025, the highest annual figure in two decades.
Rights groups also condemned several high-profile detention cases, including Palestinian American woman Leqaa Kordia and the detention of Hayam El Gamal and her five children. Federal officials deny allegations of mistreatment, stating detainees receive medical care and legal protections.
The appointment of Venturella comes amid broader leadership changes at DHS after Trump replaced former DHS chief Kristi Noem with Markwayne Mullin earlier this year.
