The Department of Homeland Security has named Charles Wall as the new deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, marking a key leadership change at a moment of heightened national focus on immigration enforcement and public unrest.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the appointment on Thursday, confirming that Wall will step into the role following the resignation of Madison Sheahan, who served as deputy director for one year before leaving the agency to launch a congressional campaign in her home state of Ohio.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Noem praised Wall’s experience and leadership within the department, calling him a “forward-leaning, strategic thinker” who understands the urgency of removing dangerous offenders from American communities.
“For the last year, Mr. Wall served as ICE’s Principal Legal Advisor, playing a key role in helping us deliver historic results in arresting and removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods,” Noem said. “I look forward to working with him in his new role to make America safe again.”
Wall brings extensive legal and operational experience to the position. As principal legal advisor, he oversaw more than 2,000 attorneys and staff across the country who represent DHS in immigration proceedings. In that role, he provided legal guidance to senior officials and the broader workforce during one of the most aggressive enforcement periods in the agency’s history.
Before rising through the ranks of ICE, Wall began his career in New Orleans, working in Homeland Security investigations. He later served as a prosecutor and senior assistant district attorney, building a reputation for handling complex criminal cases. He earned his law degree from Tulane University, a background that DHS officials say positions him well to navigate the legal and operational challenges facing the agency.
The leadership change comes as ICE intensifies enforcement operations across several states, including Minnesota, where a large-scale federal initiative has resulted in thousands of arrests and sparked widespread protests.
ICE Director Todd Lyons said this week that the agency has arrested more than 2,500 criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota since the operation began. According to Lyons, many of those detained have extensive criminal histories both in the United States and abroad.
“We’re picking up the worst of the worst offenders,” Lyons said. “As these cases come in, we’re finding that a significant number of the aliens we arrest are part of dangerous gangs that terrorize communities all over the nation.”
The Minnesota operation has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement. Demonstrations have erupted in Minneapolis and surrounding areas, with activists confronting federal agents outside government buildings and during field operations. Law enforcement has deployed crowd-control measures in response, including tear gas and non-lethal projectiles, as tensions continue to escalate.
Secretary Noem made clear that the administration has no intention of withdrawing ICE personnel from the state despite the unrest.
“We have no plans to pull our agents out of Minnesota,” she said. “Our mission is to protect American communities, and we will not abandon that mission because of intimidation or disorder.”
President Donald Trump echoed that stance in a statement posted on social media, warning that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act if attacks on federal officers continue.
“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the Insurrection Act and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State,” Trump wrote.
The Insurrection Act, enacted in 1792, grants the president authority to deploy military forces within the United States to suppress insurrection, enforce federal law, or restore order when state authorities are unable or unwilling to act. It has been used sparingly in modern history, most notably in 1992 when President George H.W. Bush sent federal troops to Los Angeles during riots following the Rodney King verdict.
The possibility of invoking the act has intensified political divisions, with critics arguing that such a move would escalate tensions, while supporters contend it is necessary to protect federal officers and uphold the rule of law.
Within this volatile environment, Wall assumes leadership at a time when ICE is under unprecedented public scrutiny. DHS officials say his legal background and familiarity with the agency’s internal structure will allow him to step into the role without delay.
Madison Sheahan, Wall’s predecessor, announced her resignation earlier this week, confirming that she will seek a seat in Congress. In a statement posted on social media, she said the decision was driven by a desire to continue serving the public in a different capacity.
Sheahan’s departure created an immediate need for continuity within ICE’s senior leadership, particularly as enforcement operations expand and public response intensifies.
Noem emphasized that Wall’s appointment ensures stability during a period of operational pressure.
“This is not a time for transition gaps or uncertainty,” she said. “We need experienced leadership that understands both the legal framework and the operational realities on the ground.”
As deputy director, Wall will oversee agency-wide operations alongside ICE Director Lyons, helping shape enforcement strategy, resource deployment, and coordination with other federal and state agencies. He will also play a central role in responding to legal challenges, congressional inquiries, and public criticism.
Supporters of the administration view the appointment as a signal that DHS intends to maintain — and potentially expand — its enforcement posture. Critics, meanwhile, argue that the leadership change reflects a doubling down on policies they believe are contributing to unrest and division.
For Wall, the role places him at the center of one of the most contentious policy arenas in American politics. His tenure will unfold amid protests, legal battles, and a national debate over immigration, federal authority, and public order.
Whether his leadership will calm tensions or further define the administration’s hardline approach remains to be seen. What is clear is that his appointment comes at a moment when ICE’s actions — and those who lead the agency — are shaping the national conversation in real time.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
