Trump Administration Names Venturella Acting ICE Director

The Trump administration has named David Venturella, a longtime immigration enforcement official, as the next acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, replacing Todd Lyons after his departure at the end of May.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson and U.S. officials confirmed the appointment on Tuesday. Lyons, who assumed the interim role in March 2025, plans to leave ICE on May 31 for a position in the private sector. During his tenure, Lyons oversaw significant deportation operations as part of the administration's immigration enforcement priorities.

Venturella rejoined ICE last year following President Trump's return to the White House. He previously served with the agency under both Republican and Democratic administrations, including during the George W. Bush and Obama presidencies. Before returning, Venturella worked as an executive at GEO Group, a for-profit company that operates some ICE detention facilities. He also held positions with the now-defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service. Officials describe Venturella as an ally of White House border security official Tom Homan.

The appointment continues a pattern for ICE, which has lacked...