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Acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello has been reassigned to a different position within ICE, a move that Border Czar Tom Homan hopes will lead to an increase in deportations. So, have arrests and deportations hit a snag since Trump took office?
Former ICE special agent Victor Avila says that while operations haven’t exactly stalled, there’s room for improvement. He stated, "They’re good numbers, as far as the deportation numbers go. But obviously, Tom Homan and President Trump want more. The gathering of these individuals just takes a little bit of effort."
Avila added that arresting illegal aliens is now more difficult than ever before, due to bureaucratic red tape and external interference. He explained, "People are out there protesting, even announcing possible operations through leaks, which is very dangerous. They’re obstructing federal investigations."
He acknowledges that these are challenges the Trump administration can’t fix overnight, but he believes progress is being made. He said, "Four years of issues can’t be easily undone in one year, or even in thirty days. I think we’re in the process of doing that, and some of it involves moving personnel around to finally assemble the team you want—one that’s going to advance Trump’s agenda."
Essentially, Avila says the Trump administration is still working to build an ICE team capable of addressing the unique challenges of his second term. As that happens, he expects deportation numbers to rise.