US ICE Deputy Director Resigns to Run for Congress in Ohio

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 — Madison Sheahan, the deputy director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resigned Thursday to run for Congress in Ohio, challenging Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur.

Sheahan, 28, announced her departure and congressional bid in social media posts.

She plans to challenge Kaptur for Ohio's 9th District in the US House of Representatives.

Her exit comes as ICE faces intense scrutiny following two officer-involved shootings in Minneapolis within a week.

An ICE officer fatally shot US citizen Renee Good last week, and on Wednesday night, an officer shot a Venezuelan man during an enforcement operation.

The US Department of Homeland Security said the officer in Wednesday's incident was attacked with a shovel and broomstick and fired defensively.

Sheahan was a close ally of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who praised her as "a work horse, strong executor, and terrific leader."

In her statement, Sheahan wrote that under her tenure the agency was empowered to put American safety first and set a new standard for excellence.

ICE has been central to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, surging officers to Democratic-led cities to drive up deportations.

Sheahan, a former campaign aide to Noem in South Dakota, joined ICE as deputy director early last year despite having no prior ICE experience.

Her previous role was as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

The November midterm elections will decide control of Congress, where Republicans currently hold majorities.