• The Trump administration is pressuring ICE to increase immigration arrests and deportations, with Stephen Miller and other officials criticizing the agency for not meeting ambitious goals.
• Leadership changes within ICE, including the replacement of senior officials, aim to boost efficiency, but internal morale and operational challenges remain significant obstacles.
• A proposed immigration spending bill could double ICE’s detention capacity and provide additional resources to meet arrest targets, though critics argue it fails to address systemic issues.

The Trump administration has intensified its push for higher immigration arrest and deportation numbers, leading to a tense confrontation between White House officials and senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leaders. The meeting, held in May at ICE headquarters in Washington, D.C., highlighted growing frustrations over the agency’s performance as it struggles to meet President Donald Trump’s ambitious deportation goals.

White House Pushes for More Arrests

President Trump has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his administration, frequently calling for mass deportations. During the May 20 meeting, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller reportedly criticized ICE officials for falling short of expectations. According to sources, Miller told officials they were not doing enough to target and arrest undocumented immigrants.

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“Miller came in there and eviscerated everyone,” said one federal official familiar with the meeting. “He had nothing positive to say and just shot morale down.” Miller reportedly pressed officials on why arrests were not being conducted in everyday locations such as Home Depot and 7-Eleven.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also addressed the group, reinforcing the administration’s demand for a more aggressive approach. “You guys are doing an OK job, but you’re not doing enough,” she reportedly told ICE officials.

Tensions Within ICE Leadership

The meeting comes amid significant internal pressure within ICE, where morale among leadership and agents has declined. Some ICE officers expressed frustration with what they see as excessive scrutiny and unrealistic goals set by the White House.

“They’ve been threatened, told they’re watching their emails and texts,” said one official. “It’s a fearful environment. Everybody in leadership is afraid … there’s no morale.”

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The White House’s frustrations stem from ICE’s focus on targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, a strategy that some officials say conflicts with the administration’s broader deportation priorities. Miller reportedly challenged ICE leaders on why they prioritize criminals over other undocumented individuals, questioning whether such an approach aligns with Trump’s goals.

Leadership Shake-Up Within ICE

In response to the administration’s concerns, ICE announced a “leadership realignment” aimed at increasing operational efficiency. Ken Genalo, acting executive associate director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), is stepping down, reportedly under pressure from the White House. Genalo will take on a special government role to spend more time with his family, according to ICE. However, sources close to the situation suggest he was asked to leave.

Additionally, Robert Hammer, acting executive associate director for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), has been replaced by Derek Gordon, a lower-ranking official. These changes are part of a broader effort to ramp up arrest and deportation numbers under the administration’s directive.

ICE Struggles To Meet Demands

ICE officers, tasked with arresting and transporting undocumented immigrants, have described the demands as overwhelming. A lack of detention space and logistical issues have further complicated operations.

“There has been better coordination among FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals than I see within the DHS family,” shared one federal official.

Some agents have also pushed back on what they view as menial tasks, such as accompanying detainees during transport to detention centers. “These guys—it’s hard for them to step up and meet this moment because they’re just not that good,” said another official.

Funding May Ease Challenges

The administration is banking on additional funding to address ICE’s operational hurdles. A new immigration spending bill, expected to go before the Senate this summer, would double ICE’s detention capacity from 50,000 to 100,000 beds and provide resources for transportation and other needs.

“If you don’t really want to try that hard, you’ve got lots of excuses because you’ve got no space,” said one official, emphasizing how the lack of detention facilities has limited ICE’s ability to execute large-scale arrests.

The funding infusion could help ICE officers meet increased arrest targets, particularly in major metropolitan areas where undocumented populations are concentrated. However, critics argue that relying on detention expansion does little to address systemic challenges within the agency.

What’s Next?

President Trump has promised the “largest-ever” deportation operation, but ICE remains under pressure to meet these high expectations. The agency’s internal challenges, coupled with growing scrutiny from the administration, have created a tense environment.

As ICE works to implement leadership changes and operational improvements, the administration’s focus on immigration enforcement is likely to remain a top priority heading into the summer. Whether ICE can meet its ambitious goals—and at what cost—remains to be seen.

What do you think about the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this article.

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