Madison Sheahan, deputy director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is reportedly stepping down from her position to run for Congress in Ohio, Fox News reported.
Sheahan announced Thursday morning internally that she is running for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress.
The resignation of the top ICE official comes as the agency faces heavy criticism for the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week, sparking protests and renewed debate over how the agency uses force and conducts its operations.
In another incident, a federal officer shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis after he was attacked with a shovel as he attempted to make an arrest, adding to already high tensions in the city.
From education to previous roles — All about Sheahan
Sheahan graduated from Ohio State University where she was part of the women’s rowing team. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public affairs with majors in public management, leadership, policy and agribusiness, along with minors in community and business leadership, according to a biography on the ICE website.
Prior to joining ICE as Deputy Director, Sheahan served as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, overseeing a $280 million budget and leading a team of more than 800 employees across the Division of Wildlife, Fisheries and Law Enforcement.
At ICE, Sheahan oversaw the agency’s day-to-day operations and led over 20,000 employees, including over 6,800 criminal investigators in Homeland Security Investigations and 6,000 officers in enforcement and removal operations, according to her biography.
Details of the ICE manager’s personal life are limited and not widely available online. Most of the news has focused on her professional career and recent decision to step down.
Glimpses from Sheahan’s campaign website
Sheahan has set up a campaign website to run for Congress that reads: “No excuses. Let’s do it… Former ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan is fighting to protect American jobs, American paychecks and American values in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District,” Fox News reported.
“For too long, Northwest Ohio has been represented by a career politician who has lived with the swamp and disconnected from the people at home,” Sheahan said in a statement. “I’m running because President Trump deserves a Congress that stands firmly behind his agenda, and Ohio deserves an elected representative who will make America safer, more affordable and more prosperous.”
Sheahan joined ICE in March as President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stepped up the administration’s moves to curb immigration.
