(CNN) — The acting deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been tapped to lead the agency, according to an email sent to ICE employees Thursday. In an email to staff, acting ICE Director Ron Vitiello, whose last day is Friday, said, “Beginning tomorrow I will be out of the office, during which time Acting Deputy Director Matt Albence will be leading the agency.” Before Albence can take over the agency in an acting capacity, he must first be permanently appointed to his current position as deputy director, a senior administration official told CNN. Vitiello announced Wednesday that he would step down on Friday after his nomination to lead ICE was abruptly withdrawn last week. Vitiello, who appeared to be on the cusp of Senate confirmation, was nominated by President Donald Trump to head the agency in August. He previously served as chief of the US Border Patrol and acting deputy commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Last Friday, Trump told reporters that the administration intended to go “in a little different direction.” He added: “Ron’s a good man but we’re going in a tougher direction. We want to go in a tougher direction.” White House senior adviser Stephen Miller directly lobbied Trump to pull the nomination, two White House officials told CNN. The move to withdraw the nomination came as a surprise to the Department of Homeland Security and members of Congress, sources familiar with the nomination told CNN, and kicked off a week of tumult at the department. By Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced her resignation, and on Wednesday, acting DHS Deputy Secretary Claire Grady also left the department. It’s not clear how long Albence will head the agency. CNN’s Jim Acosta and Geneva Sands contributed to this report.<doc-sep>Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Ron Vitiello will be stepping down from his position on Friday, marking the latest move in the Trump administration’s immigration staff shakeup. Vitiello, who has served as acting ICE director since June 2018, will officially vacate his post by the end of the week, the agency has confirmed. It is not yet clear who will replace him, but acting deputy director Matthew Albence is next in line. Vitiello’s resignation follows President Donald Trump’s decision earlier in April to pull his nomination to lead the agency in an official capacity. “[Vitiello is] a good man,” the president told reporters the day after rescinding Vitiello’s nomination. “But we’re going in a tougher direction. We want to go in a tougher direction.” Vitiello is one of several high-profile leaders in the Department of Homeland Security who have been pushed out by the administration. The shakeups come as Trump, frustrated over rising illegal immigration at the U.S. southern border, is looking to toughen up enforcement. Trump accepted Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s resignation just several days after pulling Vitiello’s nomination. Acting deputy secretary for Homeland Security Claire Grady also submitted her resignation. There is rampant speculation that the president will also push out director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Lee Francis Cissna by the end of the week. (RELATED: Pentagon Doles Out Nearly $1 Billion In Border Wall Spending Contracts) Apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border, in the meantime, have reached their highest numbers in over a decade. Recently published data from Customs and Border Protection revealed agents had apprehended or turned back 103,492 migrants who attempted to reach the U.S. southern border in March, marking the highest apprehensions month in 12 years. Detainment centers, packed with Central American families, have been forced to release an average of 1,000 illegal migrants a day. Follow Jason on Twitter. Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.<doc-sep>Ronald Vitiello will vacate his position as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, an agency spokesperson confirmed to Politico. The backdrop: President Trump abruptly pulled Vitiello's nomination on April 5 for the director position, saying he intends to move the federal enforcement agency in a "tougher direction." ICE has not disclosed details of Vitiello's replacement, though Matthew Albence — the acting deputy director — is technically next in line. Vitiello has been in the position since June 2018. The big picture: A number of high-level officials at the Department of Homeland Security have exited in the past week, including Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, acting Deputy Secretary Claire Grady and Secret Service chief Randolph "Tex" Alles. The shakeup comes as Trump plans to execute the most aggressive changes in immigration policy since his inauguration, in response to an ongoing surge of migrants at the border. Go deeper: Inside Trump's new hardline immigration crackdown<doc-sep>The shakeup within the Department of Homeland Security’s leadership continued on Wednesday after it was announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Ron Vitiello would be stepping down on Friday. Outgoing DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen issued a statement Wednesday announcing Vitiello’s departure and thanked him for his “unwavering” leadership. “For over three decades, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Ron Vitiello has protected our homeland with courage and conviction,” the statement read. “Ron’s knowledge and expertise as a seasoned law enforcement professional has been invaluable to DHS, and he has left a legacy of excellence as our Department has expanded and refined our efforts to curb illegal immigration and secure our borders.” NIELSEN RESIGNS AS DHS SECRETARY AFTER WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH TRUMP “On behalf of DHS I want to thank Ron for his service and dedication, and I wish him the very best in this next chapter of his career.” An ICE official told Fox News that Vitiello’s last day will be Friday. His departure was the latest in a string of resignations coming as President Trump has aimed to take a tougher stance against immigrants at the southern border. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP After Nielsen’s resignation last Sunday, officials said Monday that Secret Service Director Randolph “Tex” Alles was stepping down, and DHS’ acting deputy secretary Claire Grady - who was technically next in line to replace Nielsen - resigned on Tuesday. Trump over the weekend named Kevin McAleenan, the head of Customs and Border Protection, to serve as acting secretary. Fox News' Gregg Re and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.<doc-sep>
(CNN) — US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Ron Vitiello will leave his leadership post at the end of the week, according to a letter sent to ICE employees Wednesday. His announcement comes after his nomination to lead the agency in a permanent position was suddenly pulled by the White House last Thursday. “I am writing to let you know that Friday, April 12, 2019, will be my last day as Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I would also like to express my deep thanks and gratitude for the opportunity to serve with our incredible workforce,” he wrote to employees in the letter, which was obtained by CNN. Vitiello, who appeared to be on the cusp of Senate confirmation, was nominated by President Donald Trump to head the agency in August. He previously served as chief of the US Border Patrol and acting deputy commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Last Friday, President Donald Trump said he wanted to go in a “tougher direction” – a move that came at the urging of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller. “We’re going in a little different direction. Ron’s a good man but we’re going in a tougher direction. We want to go in a tougher direction,” Trump told reporters Friday at the White House. The surprise withdrawal of his nomination set off a week of uncertainty and major leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE. By Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced her resignation, and on Wednesday acting DHS Deputy Secretary Claire Grady announced her resignation as well. At least two other DHS officials were also been named as possibly heading out the door.