Former Kristi Noem aide in South Dakota reported to be named senior ICE official

WASHINGTON — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is planning to tap her former aide for a senior role in the agency tasked with immigration enforcement, as the White House pressures officials to carry out mass deportations, according to multiple media reports.

Madison Sheahan, who currently serves as Louisiana’s head of Wildlife and Fisheries, is expected to be named deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the New York Times.

Acting ICE director Caleb Vitello has been reassigned, but is still listed as head of the agency’s leadership.

A spokesperson for DHS said in a statement that leadership positions “are being reevaluated. We have nothing new to announce at this time.”

Sheahan could not be reached for comment.

Sheahan is a former Noem aide from her time as South Dakota’s governor, and she attended Noem’s Senate confirmation hearing, sitting behind her.

As an aide for Noem, she worked on legislation about wildlife, agriculture and South Dakota’s natural resources, according to her biography. She later became South Dakota’s state party executive for the Republican Party.

She has a bachelor’s degree in public affairs, public management, leadership and policy and agri-business from The Ohio State University.

Sheahan registered a business in South Dakota, MDS Enterprises LLC, in 2023, but the business was dissolved due to “failure to file the annual report(s) when due,” according to South Dakota’s Secretary of State business records.

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