Trump Expands ICE Powers Amid Deportation Challenges

Caleb Vitello, who served as the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been reassigned amid dissatisfaction with the pace of deportations under President Trump's administration. The Trump administration is seeking to accelerate deportations, with Vitello now overseeing field and enforcement operations instead of holding an administrative role. Despite an increase in ICE arrests, they have not met the administration's ambitious targets, leading to frustrations and a reshuffling of leadership. Trump has promised a significant mass deportation campaign, but ICE's resources have remained relatively unchanged, complicating implementation efforts. The administration has also expanded ICE's reach, lifting previous restrictions on arrests at sensitive locations and extending powers to deport non-criminal undocumented migrants. Vitello’s reassignment is part of broader changes within ICE to meet these heightened deportation goals.