Sources familiar with proceedings tell Fox News Digital that a decision on whom President-elect Trump will nominate to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expected within the coming days. This comes ahead of possible opposition to mass deportations from some Democratic states next year.
Discussions have taken place at Mar-a-Lago this week, and a decision could be made as early as Friday. The nominee will need Senate confirmation.
It is unclear who is in the running at this time. One source mentioned on Thursday that there are still multiple candidates being discussed, and the list has not been narrowed down by the Trump team.
WHO ELSE COULD BE ON PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION ‘DREAM TEAM?’
Then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Mint Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Previous sources have mentioned that John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field officer, and Todd Lyons, currently leading the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operation (ERO) unit in Boston, were potential top contenders. The transition team is seeking someone with a strong law enforcement background to head the agency.
Fabbricatore is now out of the running for the position. Lyons is highly regarded within the agency and by many on the transition team for his leadership in the Boston unit and their efforts in pursuing criminal illegal immigrants released from custody in sanctuary cities.
‘100% ON BOARD’: BORDER STATE OFFERS TRUMP MASSIVE PLOT OF LAND TO AID MASSIVE DEPORTATION OPERATION
An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
The chosen nominee will be under scrutiny in the next year as they lead what President-elect Trump has pledged as a historic mass deportation operation.
Former ICE Director Thomas Homan has been appointed as “border czar” by Trump and is expected to play a key role in securing the border and launching the mass deportation operation. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has also been announced as the nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security.
The transition team is considering a substantial expansion of detention to support the operation, with more beds and greater detention capacity near major metropolitan areas.
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These efforts are already facing strong opposition from Democratic officials in some states, with governors of Illinois, Arizona, and Massachusetts refusing to cooperate with the administration. On the other hand, some Republican states like Texas have offered assistance by providing over 1,400 acres of land for mass deportation staging near the border.
