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One DHS insider called it “a full-on turf war.”
The friction pits ICE Director Todd Lyons and veteran enforcement hawk Tom Homan — who prioritize removing criminal aliens and those with final deportation orders — against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, who want a broader and faster nationwide sweep.
“Too Hard, Too Fast”
Tensions reached a flashpoint this summer when Border Patrol agents began assuming command in major ICE offices, pushing a more aggressive arrest tempo.
“ICE started off with the worst of the worst, knowing every target they are hitting, but since Border Patrol came to LA in June, we’ve lost our focus, going too hard, too fast, with limited prioritization,” one senior DHS official told Fox News. “It’s getting numbers, but at what cost?”
Another official didn’t mince words: “ICE is arresting criminal aliens. They [Border Patrol] are hitting Home Depots and car washes.”
Border Patrol Fires Back
But Border Patrol agents are firing back, defending their expanded role as part of Trump’s “zero tolerance” vision.
“What did everyone think mass deportations meant? Only the worst?” one agent told Fox News. “Tom Homan has said it himself — anyone in the U.S. illegally is on the table.”
To them, the criticism from ICE insiders sounds like bureaucratic whining — the kind of resistance that has slowed down immigration enforcement for years.
“Performance-Based” or Political?
DHS officials insist the reassignments are not punitive — but rather part of a larger performance overhaul.
A senior department spokesperson told Fox News the reshuffle is “performance-based” and intended to “move people around for the best results.”
Still, several insiders see a political motive: consolidate power under Noem and Lewandowski’s camp while sidelining career ICE veterans who favor a more targeted, data-driven approach.
Deportations Still Lagging Behind
Despite the aggressive tone from the administration, deportation numbers still fall short of President Trump’s targets.
ICE’s arrest totals have climbed — but not enough to meet internal benchmarks. The administration’s frustration over the slow pace is reportedly fueling the internal shakeup.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin tried to calm speculation, saying in a statement: “While we have no personnel changes to announce at this time, the Trump administration remains laser focused on delivering results and removing violent criminal illegal aliens from this country.”
The Bigger Picture
The battle inside ICE isn’t just about leadership titles — it’s about control of America’s immigration playbook.
For decades, ICE and Border Patrol operated in distinct lanes: ICE handled interior enforcement, while Border Patrol secured the border. Now, that line is blurring, and insiders warn it could backfire.
One veteran official summed up the concern: “You can’t run the interior like the border. If we lose focus, we lose credibility.”
As the Trump administration doubles down on deportations, the internal fight at DHS could determine whether the crackdown becomes a coordinated success — or a bureaucratic brawl that weakens both agencies.
