The Department of Homeland Security has initiated a major leadership shakeup at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, replacing top officials in at least eight field offices across the country. This restructuring signals growing internal conflict over deportation strategy—specifically whether to focus on criminal aliens or pursue broader enforcement against all individuals unlawfully present in the country.
ICE field offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, El Paso, and New Orleans are among those affected. According to reports, experienced ICE leaders are being replaced by officials from Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Border Patrol. The move has caused friction within DHS as competing enforcement philosophies clash behind the scenes.
One side of the debate reportedly favors a targeted approach, prioritizing the removal of individuals with criminal convictions or final deportation orders. This group includes ICE Director Todd Lyons and former ICE official Tom Homan. The opposing camp, reportedly aligned with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol leadership, advocates for broader removals of all who are in the country illegally, regardless of criminal history or length of stay.
An ICE official speaking anonymously described the shift as aggressive and unfocused, stating that the agency has “lost its focus” and is moving “too hard, too fast” without clear prioritization. Tensions between ICE and Border Patrol leadership appear to be escalating, as traditional ICE personnel express concern over blurred operational boundaries and diminished autonomy.
