President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday, Dec. 5, he is nominating former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott to head U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). He also tapped ICE veteran Caleb Vitello as Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a statement posted to his Truth Social account, Trump praised Scott for nearly three decades of service in the Border Patrol and for helping to implement key immigration policies during Trump’s first term. Scott was involved in the Remain-in-Mexico policy, Title 42, Safe Third Agreements, and efforts that led to record-low levels of illegal immigration. Scott also served briefly under the Biden administration before retiring in August 2021.
Trump also highlighted Vitello’s 23 years of service with ICE.
“Caleb currently serves as Assistant Director of the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs, where he oversees agency-wide training, equipment, and policy to ensure officer and public safety,” Trump said.
Trump emphasized that Vitello’s extensive experience would help him carry out his immigration agenda, calling him an “excellent choice” to “enhance the safety and security of American communities who have been victimized by illegal alien crime.”
The president-elect reiterated his commitment to implementing the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history, prioritizing the removal of violent migrant criminals from American streets.
When asked by NBC News about the cost of mass deportations one day after winning the election, Trump responded: “It’s not a question of a price tag. It’s not — really, we have no choice. When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here. There is no price tag.”