Trump Admin Purges ICE Leaders in Five Cities, Installs Border Patrol Agents

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem will ultimately decide all senior personnel matters within ICE and Border Patrol, though the department declined to comment on her involvement in the shake-up.

One source said the initiative was pushed by Noem and DHS senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, adding that “Tom [Homan] would have said, ‘No way.’”

The decision to replace top ICE officials with Border Patrol supervisors is unprecedented.

Among those reportedly reassigned were Denver Field Office Director Robert Guadian, San Diego Director Patrick Divver, Phoenix Director John Cantu, Los Angeles Director Ernesto Santacruz, and Philadelphia’s acting Director Brian McShane. None responded to requests for comment.

In Philadelphia, an ICE Homeland Security Investigations official — not a Border Patrol leader — will assume McShane’s duties. DHS, ICE, and Customs and Border Protection have not publicly confirmed any of the personnel moves.