Ron Vitiello has been named the deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a move that also makes the veteran border patrol official the agency’s acting director.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen announced the personnel move June 30.
Most recently, Vitiello, who has worked in law enforcement for the past three decades, served as acting deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In February 2017, he was named chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Vitiello began his career in 1985 as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Laredo, Texas.
“I am pleased that ICE will continue to be led by an experienced and well-respected career law enforcement officer who will be a strong advocate for the agency’s workforce,” Nielsen said in a message to DHS employees.
The former acting director of ICE, Tom Homan, is retiring.
Nielsen praised Homan’s tenure leading the agency. Homan had previously announced he was retiring in January but agreed to stay on until a successor was named.
“Acting Director Homan will be greatly missed in his well-earned (second) retirement,” Nielsen said. “We wish Tom and his family all the best and know they will remain part of the DHS family.”