Post: | Director |
Body: | the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
Insignia: | Logo of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.svg |
Insigniasize: | 150 |
Incumbent: | Patrick Lechleitner |
Incumbentsince: | July 4, 2023 |
Acting: | yes |
Department: | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
Reports To: | United States Secretary of Homeland Security |
Seat: | 500 12th Street SW Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Appointer: | The President |
Appointer Qualified: | with Senate advice and consent |
Formation: | Prior to July 2010 titled Assistant Secretary |
Deputy: | Deputy Director |
The Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a civilian official in the United States Department of Homeland Security. During July 2010 the position's title was changed from Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
The Director is in charge of the day-to-day operations of more than 7000 Homeland Security Investigations Agents (HSI) that are the primary investigative component of ICE and 6000 Enforcement and Removal Operations Officers (ERO).[1] ICE is an agency with the United States Department of Homeland Security and the director reports to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security and the United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
This position requires Senate confirmation.
The current acting director is Patrick Lechleitner who assumed the role following Tae Johnson's retirement.[2]
The director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the chief administrator with enforcement of US immigration laws and criminal investigations of transnational criminal organizations. This mission is executed through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes and focuses on immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism and combating the illegal movement of people and goods.[3]
†- Indicates title of office upon appointment was Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement