Madison Sheahan, the second-highest-ranking official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a close confidante of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is stepping down from the agency to launch a run for Congress, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the decision.
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Sheahan was appointed ICE’s deputy director in March as part of a broader leadership shake-up ordered by the Trump administration, which sought to intensify immigration arrests and deportations nationwide amid mounting political pressure.
In a statement to CBS News, Noem confirmed Sheahan’s departure and offered strong praise, saying she believes Sheahan will be “a great defender of freedom” in Congress. Noem said the two have known each other for years and highlighted Sheahan’s leadership role at ICE.
Madison Sheahan
“Madison Sheahan is a work horse, strong executor, and terrific leader who led the men and women of ICE to achieve the American people’s mandate to target, arrest, and deport criminal illegal aliens,” Noem said, wishing her success in her political bid.
Despite her close ties to Noem, Sheahan’s rapid rise within ICE drew criticism from some agency officials, who expressed frustration over the 28-year-old’s limited background in law enforcement. Prior to joining ICE, Sheahan served as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and previously worked as a senior aide to Noem during her tenure as governor of South Dakota.
In a message posted on X to ICE employees following news of her departure, Sheahan said she was proud of her work at the agency and of having “restored its purpose.” She thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary Noem for their leadership, calling her time at ICE “the honor of my life” as the agency continues to play a central role in the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda.[/read]