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Tae Johnson retires: ICE once again without a leader

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been without a permanent leader since 2017. In January 2021, Johnson took over the position on an interim basis after replacing Jonathan Fahey.

Tae Johnson, director interino del ICE que dejará su cargo a finales de junio de 2023.

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Published by
Rosana Rábago Sainz

Tae Johnson announced Monday that he will leave his position as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the end of June. The government agency has been without a permanent leader since 2017. In January 2021, Johnson replaced Jonathan Fahey and assumed the position of acting director of ICE after 31 years with the agency.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a statement thanking Johnson for his work at ICE in "advancing many of DHS's critical missions":

I am grateful to Tae Johnson for his service to ICE, the Department, and the nation. Mr. Johnson has been an integral member of ICE’s leadership team through multiple administrations. He has been instrumental in advancing many of DHS’s critical missions, including the enforcement of our country’s immigration laws and our work to dismantle terrorist and criminal organizations. He helped transform the organizational culture of ICE by focusing its resources on public safety and national security.

Tae Johnson's work at ICE

Mayorkas explained that, among other roles, Johnson assisted in preventing counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines from entering into the country, as well as fentanyl smuggling. He also managed the plan that went into effect after the end of Title 42:

As ICE’s leader since 2021, he has overseen some of the nation’s most critical investigations, including Operation Stolen Promise to combat the new threats related to counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and Operation Blue Lotus to curtail the flow of fentanyl smuggled into the United States from Mexico. Most recently, Mr. Johnson led ICE’s successful planning and execution during the transition from the Title 42 public health Order to the enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws.

Johnson is the second top immigration enforcement official to leave his post at the end of the month. A week ago, Border Patrol Director Raul Ortiz also announced that he was retiring after 32 years of service.

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