President Trump is once again proving he is not going to tolerate half-measures when it comes to securing America’s borders and enforcing our immigration laws. After expressing clear frustration at ICE’s failure to meet the ambitious deportation targets he set, the White House has now executed a major leadership overhaul at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Ken Genalo, who served as acting executive associate director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), is stepping down after 33 years of dedicated service. He will continue assisting the agency as a special government employee. Taking his place will be Marcos Charles, a seasoned veteran who previously served as a Field Office Director. Charles will now oversee the critical arm of ICE responsible for deportations and removals.
This shake-up doesn’t stop there. Robert Hammer, who had been serving as acting executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), is transitioning to a new role within ICE, one the agency states “requires his unique expertise.” Derek Gordon, a long-standing veteran of HSI, will be stepping up into Hammer’s former position.
These changes are not merely administrative—this is a strategic realignment to deliver on the promises President Trump made to the American people. Trump’s 2024 campaign was clear and unequivocal: he promised to achieve mass deportations of illegal immigrants, especially those who pose a threat to public safety and national security. Yet, despite boasting higher deportation figures, ICE had fallen short of the administration’s ambitious goals.
Indeed, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller confirmed on Thursday that ICE agents have been ordered to triple their daily arrests, targeting around 3,000 individuals each day. This directive underscores the urgency and seriousness with which the Trump administration views immigration enforcement. The timing of the leadership shuffle, coming just hours after Miller’s announcement, sends an unmistakable message: excuses will no longer be tolerated.
Critics and open-border advocates have predictably lashed out against the administration’s aggressive stance, characterizing it as “chaos” and lamenting so-called “insane arrest quotas.” Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, even claimed on social media that Stephen Miller “reportedly screamed” at ICE officials for not hitting their targets. But President Trump and his administration understand that enforcing immigration laws is critical to national security and public safety—and that requires decisive action, accountability, and results, not bureaucratic complacency.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons praised Genalo’s long tenure, stating, “Genalo has served in this acting capacity to help meet the mandate set forth by the American people—his contributions were integral in the successes we’re seeing today.” Lyons’ gratitude reflects a respect for service even as the administration demands more robust enforcement.
This ICE reshuffle follows closely on the heels of another significant shake-up shortly after Trump returned to office in January. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem replaced ICE’s director and deputy director, installing Todd Lyons as acting director and Madison Sheehan, a political staffer of Noem’s, into leadership roles. Clearly, the administration is taking no prisoners when it comes to immigration enforcement.
The Trump White House has been consistent and clear: America First means border security first. It means immigration enforcement first. It means prioritizing the safety and prosperity of American citizens above all else. The latest moves at ICE send a powerful signal to every agency employee: alignment with President Trump’s immigration priorities is mandatory, not optional.
These changes aren’t about chaos—they are about accountability and results. The American people elected President Trump precisely because they trust him to restore order and sovereignty to our borders. With these strategic leadership adjustments, that trust will be rewarded. It’s time to secure our borders, restore law and order, and ensure America’s immigration laws are respected. The Trump administration is once again taking bold steps to ensure ICE delivers on that promise.
