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Despite Noem’s endorsement, Sheahan’s rapid rise to ICE’s deputy director position stirred concern among some agency officials, who questioned her relatively limited law enforcement experience at just 28 years old.
Before joining ICE, Sheahan served as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. She also worked as an aide to Noem during her tenure as governor of South Dakota, strengthening her political connections and administrative experience.
After news of her resignation broke, Sheahan took to X (formerly Twitter) to address ICE employees directly. She expressed pride in her tenure and emphasized the agency’s renewed mission.
“As I depart the agency, I want to say that it has been the honor of my life to serve my country with all of you,” Sheahan wrote. “I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Noem for their leadership and for their steadfast commitment to our agency.”
Sheahan also highlighted her achievements at ICE, saying she had “strengthened” the agency and “restored its purpose” during her time in leadership. Her message appeared aimed at reassuring staff and emphasizing continuity in the agency’s law enforcement mission.
ICE, which handles deportations and arrests of illegal immigrants across the U.S., has been central to President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. The administration has deployed thousands of ICE and Border Patrol officers into major cities, a strategy that has drawn fierce criticism from local politicians and liberal activists.
With Sheahan’s resignation, ICE will face a leadership transition at a time when immigration enforcement is under intense scrutiny. Her move into the political arena signals that the former deputy director intends to carry her pro-enforcement record to Capitol Hill.
