Photo via the Department of Homeland Security
On May 29, 2025, Kenneth Genalo stepped down from his role as the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) Emergency and Removal Operations (ERO) section. Genalo, who has a background in New York City, is being replaced by Marcos Charles, previously a Field Office Director for ERO’s Dallas office about whom little else is known. As the leader of ERO, Genalo orchestrated and oversaw the raids, arrests, and deportations that ripped families apart, causing pain and suffering to millions
In his leadership of the ERO, Genalo went far beyond mere enforcement; he participated in an aggressive political effort to attack sanctuary laws throughout the country, especially in New York City, where major concessions have been granted to ICE. Alongside the current Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations (or “Border Czar”) Thomas Homan, he appeared in the press and in political meetings where he put pressure on state and city leaders to cooperate the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) deportation efforts.
In December of 2024, Genalo was featured in a televised interview, saying, “I get disgusted and disappointed when I hear these false narratives about ICE is out doing sweeps, ICE is out doing raids; once ICE is done going after criminals... they’ll be targeting abuela [Spanish for ‘grandmother’].” In spite of Genalo’s disgust and disappointment, ICE has since been executing countless raids and sweeps, not to mention waves of courthouse arrests, imprisoning and forcefully removing grandparents, children, veterans, campus activists, and many other cherished human beings, regardless of any level of criminal involvement.
Genalo and Homan pressuring NYC Mayor Eric Adams (photo via the New York City Mayor's Office)
Genalo’s departure comes alongside news that Robert Hammer, who led the ICE’s investigative wing Homeland Security Investigations, is being replaced by Derek Gordon as the executive branch voraciously accelerates its deportation efforts. The internal strife within the administration has resulted in the DHS, of which ICE is a part, forcing lie detector tests on its own employees — a tactic now being adopted by the FBI, whose new Deputy Director and former Fox News personality Dan Bongino promises to focus on immigration.
As ICE fumbles over itself to disappear as many people as it can, there is reason to suspect its new leaders will be even more opaque, authoritarian, and cruel than its last ones. Kenneth Genalo’s indifference, dishonesty, and casual racism was simply not enough for ICE and Donald Trump’s White House. In recent weeks, the regime has been upping the ante. The immigrant rights movement will meet their aggression head on.