The New York Times

Will ICE Change Under Its New Leader?

Mark Wayne Mullen, the Senate‑confirmed head of the Department of Homeland Security, signaled a tonal shift for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He pledged to move away from the daily headline‑making raids that defined his predecessor’s tenure and to adopt a more collaborative stance with local law‑enforcement leaders. Mullen’s agenda includes consulting sheriffs and police chiefs, limiting aggressive operations in Democratic cities, and insisting that DHS agents obtain judicial warrants before entering homes, except in exigent circumstances. While he promises procedural restraint, he reiterated the administration’s core commitment to arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants regardless of criminal conduct. During his confirmation hearing, Mullen described his goal: “My goal in six months is that we’re not in the lead story every single day.” He also softened remarks about past rhetoric, acknowledging that earlier statements should have been retracted—a rare admission among Trump officials. If Mullen’s approach sticks, ICE may face fewer public confrontations, easing pressure on local jurisdictions and businesses reliant on immigrant labor, yet the overarching hard‑line immigration policy is unlikely to waver, preserving the administration’s broader enforcement agenda.