The Trump administration chose David Venturella, a veteran Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official, as the new director of the federal agency in charge of deportations and immigration operations in the country.

His appointment occurs at one of the most tense moments for migration policy, marked by massive raids, protests and questions over the use of force in federal operations.

Venturella will replace Todd Lyons, who led ICE on an interim basis following the departure of previous Trump administration officials. The news was confirmed by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson.

Before taking the position, Venturella headed the “Safe Communities” program, a strategy that allows sharing information between local prisons and immigration authorities to detect people without legal status in the United States.

His relationship with GEO Group generates criticism

One of the points that has generated more controversy about his arrival at ICE is his link with GEO Group, one of the largest prison prisons companies in the country and historical contractor of the U.S. government.

Venturella worked as VP of client relations for GEO Group until 2023 and subsequently served as a consultant for the company, according to records filed with the United States Securities Exchange Commission.

According to public documents, GEO Group maintains contracts with ICE valued at more than billion dollars.

Democratic congresswoman Delia Ramírez harshly criticized the appointment.

“Let's be clear: his appointment is intended to ensure that Trump's corporate bosses continue to profit at the expense of the suffering of our communities,” he wrote on the social network X.

ICE faces pressure from raids and use of force

Venturella's arrival also coincides with growing criticism towards ICE for the raids carried out in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, where federal agents participated in immigration operations that triggered protests and public questions.

In Minneapolis, two U.S. citizens died during a federal operation, increasing pressure on the federal government and the immigration agency.

Although the Trump administration has toughened its immigration discourse since the beginning of its second term, reports have also emerged about internal adjustments for moderate some tactics. According to NBC News, local ICE offices received instructions not to enter homes without court orders signed by judges.