Washington, January 16, 2026 – Facing mounting criticism over its aggressive immigration enforcement operations in U.S. cities—including the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, Minnesota—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has appointed Charles Wall as its new deputy director. The announcement, made Thursday by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, comes as the agency grapples with widespread backlash, protests, and legal challenges to its tactics under the Trump administration's mass deportation initiative.
"Effective immediately, Charles Wall will serve as the Deputy Director of @ICEGov," Noem posted on X, formerly Twitter. She praised Wall's tenure as ICE's Principal Legal Advisor over the past year, crediting him with 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 described Wall as a "forward-leaning, strategic thinker" with more than 14 years of service at ICE, including prior roles as Deputy Chief Counsel for New Orleans and Assistant Chief Counsel in Louisiana. He has overseen a staff of over 3,500 attorneys and support personnel, providing legal counsel on removal proceedings and agency operations.
Wall succeeds Madison Sheahan, who announced her resignation on Thursday to launch a bid for Congress in Ohio's 9th Congressional District. Sheahan, a close ally of Noem from her time as South Dakota governor, had served as ICE's deputy director since early 2025. In her resignation letter and campaign launch video, Sheahan highlighted her contributions to recruiting thousands of new agents and deporting millions, framing her run as a continuation of supporting President Donald Trump's agenda. Sheahan, 28, grew up in Ohio, attended Ohio State University, and previously worked for the Ohio Republican Party. Her departure leaves ICE's leadership in transition during a period of heightened scrutiny.
The appointment arrives amid fierce controversy surrounding ICE's enforcement surge, particularly in Minnesota. On January 7, 2026, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, writer, poet, and mother, during an operation in south Minneapolis. Good, who was reportedly acting as a legal observer monitoring federal activities, was in her SUV when the incident occurred. Federal officials, including President Trump and Secretary Noem, defended the shooting, claiming Good attempted to run over agents with her vehicle in an act of "domestic terrorism." However, eyewitness accounts, synchronized video footage from Ross's body camera and bystanders, and analyses by outlets like The New York Times and CNN have contested this narrative, showing Good backing up and turning away before shots were fired. Good was struck multiple times, including in the chest, forearm, and possibly head, and her vehicle crashed after the shooting.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, protests, and calls for accountability. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz proclaimed January 9 as "Renee Good Day," while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned ICE actions as "disgusting and intolerable." State Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a federal lawsuit alleging unconstitutional raids, unlawful stops, and violations of the Fourth Amendment. Protesters have used whistles, drums, and rapid-response networks to disrupt operations, while activists report widespread fear in communities.
Critics argue that ICE's operations deviate from Trump's campaign pledge to target dangerous criminals, instead sweeping up law-abiding, longtime residents—including U.S. citizens—in tactics involving masked, heavily armed agents without warrants. Reports describe agents dragging individuals from vehicles, assaulting peaceful observers, using tear gas near schools, and conducting door-to-door raids. Businesses in the Twin Cities have reported sharp declines in customers due to fear, with some temporarily closing. The Minneapolis Police Department has bolstered resources amid civil unrest, and protests have spread to cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
In response, ICE and the administration have doubled down. Noem announced plans to deploy "hundreds more" agents to Minnesota, vowing to protect officers and continue operations. Trump warned of a "day of reckoning and retribution" for those resisting enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security has restricted congressional oversight of detention facilities, denying entry to lawmakers like Reps. Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison.
Wall's appointment is seen as an effort to stabilize leadership and align the agency with the administration's priorities. With his extensive legal background, he is expected to guide ICE through ongoing investigations, lawsuits, and public scrutiny. The agency maintains that its focus remains on public safety, prioritizing the removal of murderers, rapists, gang members, and terrorists.
The controversy underscores deep divisions over immigration policy, with supporters praising aggressive enforcement as necessary for security and critics decrying it as overreach that terrorizes communities and violates civil rights. As protests continue and legal battles unfold, Wall's tenure will be closely watched for its impact on ICE's direction amid one of the most contentious periods in the agency's history.
