Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a significant leadership shake-up at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), appointing Todd Lyons as the new Acting Director and Madison Sheahan as Deputy Director. This move follows the demotion of Caleb Vitello from the acting director position.
Caleb Vitello, a seasoned ICE official with over two decades of experience, had been serving as Acting Director since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in January 2025. However, his tenure was marked by frustration among top administration officials, including Secretary Noem and Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, over the agency’s inability to accelerate arrests and deportations to the levels promised during the 2024 campaign.
Despite Vitello’s efforts to increase enforcement—such as directing field offices to target 75 arrests per day for a national total of 1,200 to 1,500—ICE fell short of expectations, leading to his reassignment to a senior role overseeing field and enforcement operations rather than leading the agency.
“ICE needs a culture of accountability, which it has been deprived of,” Noem stated. “With President Trump’s support, this new leadership will deliver the results that the American people demand—targeting, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens.”
“For the past four years, our brave men and women of ICE have been barred from doing their jobs—ICE needs a culture of accountability, which it has lacked under the Biden Administration,” Noem stated. “With President Trump’s support, I am appointing new ICE leadership to deliver the results that President Trump and the American people rightfully demand. Todd Lyons will serve as Acting ICE Director, and Madison Sheahan will be Deputy Director of ICE. Todd Lyons and Madison Sheahan are hardworking, strong executors, and accountable leaders who will guide the men and women of ICE in fulfilling the American people’s mandate to target, arrest, and deport illegal aliens.”
Todd Lyons, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is currently serving as the Acting Executive Associate Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). He previously held the position of Assistant Director of Field Operations for ERO, where he oversaw all 25 field offices and domestic operations across the United States.
Throughout his career, Lyons has held several leadership roles within ICE, including Deputy Assistant Director for Western Operations and the Southwest Border. He also served as the Field Office Director for ERO’s Boston office, managing operations across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont. Earlier in his career, he worked in ERO Dallas as an Assistant Field Office Director from 2015 to 2017 and as Chief of Staff for the ERO Dallas Field Office from 2014 to 2015.
Lyons began his federal service in the United States Air Force in 1993. He transitioned to civilian law enforcement in Florida in 1999 before joining ICE in 2007 as an Immigration Enforcement Agent in Dallas, Texas.
Madison D. Sheahan currently serves as the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, overseeing a $280 million budget and managing over 800 employees across the agency’s wildlife, fisheries, and enforcement divisions. She played a key role in establishing the Special Operations Group within the enforcement division, strengthening partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for major events such as Mardi Gras and Super Bowl LIX. As part of her role, she also advises Governor Jeff Landry as a member of the state’s cabinet and Unified Command Group.
Before her tenure in Louisiana, Sheahan worked under former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in various leadership positions, including in the governor’s official office, the state Republican Party, and on policy initiatives. She was involved in the passage of legislation aimed at protecting women’s sports.
Sheahan holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in public affairs, public management, leadership, policy, and agribusiness, with minors in community and business leadership.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
