The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement official David Venturella, who previously worked for private prison operator GEO Group before returning to ICE, will take over as the agency's acting director.

"Dave Venturella will serve as acting ICE director following Todd Lyons' departure," the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, said in a statement.

Lyons, ICE's current acting head, plans to leave federal service on May 31, according to a DHS announcement in April. For years, ICE has functioned under acting directors, without a Senate-confirmed leader since early 2017.

Since entering office early last year, Trump has ramped up immigration enforcement efforts. Rights organizations contend these measures undermine due process and free speech protections while fostering an atmosphere of fear, particularly for ethnic minorities.

ICE remains central to Trump's immigration push through its detention operations and deportation initiatives. The January fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by ICE agents in Minnesota ignited protests across the nation.

Trump has defended the crackdown as essential for curbing illegal immigration and strengthening domestic security.

Venturella has held positions at ICE during both Republican and Democratic administrations. He also served at GEO Group, which runs more than a dozen federal civil immigration detention centers nationwide, and rejoined ICE last year.

ICE Detention Conditions Draw Sharp Criticism from Rights Groups

Human rights advocates have voiced serious concerns over conditions in ICE facilities. At least 18 deaths occurred in ICE custody during the first four months of 2026, following 31 deaths the year before - a two-decade record high.

Groups recently highlighted the year-long detention of Palestinian American Leqaa Kordia, who suffered a seizure in custody and reported being chained during hospital treatment.

They also decried the detention of Hayam El Gamal and her five children, ages 5 to 18, all of whom experienced declining health while held.

Kordia, who lost 175 family members amid Israel's military operations in Gaza, was freed in March, while the El Gamal family was released last month.

Officials reject allegations of mistreatment, maintaining that detainees receive proper medical attention and due process.

DHS has seen recent leadership shifts. Trump dismissed former Secretary Kristi Noem in March and installed Markwayne Mullin as her replacement.