By Maribel Velazquez
The Trump administration chose David Venturellaa veteran official of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Retainer Service (ICE)as the new director of the federal agency in charge of deportations and immigration operations in the country.
His appointment occurs in one of the most tense moments for immigration policymarked by massive raids, protests and questions about the use of force in federal operations.
Venturella will replace Todd Lyons, who led ICE on an interim basis after the departure of previous Trump administration officials. The news was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).).
Before taking office, Venturella headed the “Safe Communities” program, a strategy that allows information to be shared between local jails and immigration authorities to detect people without correct status in the United States.
His relationship with GEO Community generates criticism
One of the points that has generated the most controversy about his arrival at ICE is his link with GEO Community, one of the largest private prison companies in the country and historic contractor for the US government.
Venturella worked as GEO Community’s senior vice president of client relations until 2023 and subsequently served as a consultant to the company, according to records filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
According to public documents, GEO Community maintains contracts with ICE valued at more than a billion dollars.
The 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 over raids and use of force
Venturella’s arrival also coincides with growing criticism of ICE over raids carried out in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, where federal agents participated in immigration operations that sparked protests and public questions.
In Minneapolis, two American citizens were killed 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 to moderate some tactics. According to NBC Recordsdata, local ICE offices were instructed not to enter homes without court orders signed by judges.
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