Trump appoints David Venturella as new head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement

US Administration Announces New Acting Director for Immigration Enforcement Agency

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that David Venturella, a former executive at GEO Group, will serve as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Venturella will replace Todd Lyons, who is leaving the government on May 31.

According to DHS, Venturella will assume the role following Lyons’ departure. The announcement was made in a statement released by the department.

Venturella has previously worked at ICE under both Democratic and Republican administrations, as well as serving an executive role at GEO Group. He rejoined ICE last year.

The Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement has been marked by efforts to detain and deport foreign nationals. As part of this effort, private contractors such as GEO Group have seen increased business opportunities.

GEO Group operates over a dozen federal civil immigration detention centers across the US. The company has secured lucrative contracts, including a $1 billion agreement to open a facility in Newark, New Jersey.

Critics of ICE have raised concerns about poor conditions and rights abuses in detention facilities. At least 18 deaths have been reported in ICE custody during the first four months of 2026, following a two-decade high of 31 deaths across 2025.

Venturella’s hiring has been described by some as part of the “revolving-door phenomenon” between government and private industry.

Source: Al Jazeera