John Sandweg
John R. Sandweg (born 1975) is an American attorney who served as an acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from August 1, 2013 to February 21, 2014. He is a partner of Nixon Peabody leading the Cross-Border Risks team. Biography 2002–2009: Defense attorney From 2002 to 2009, Sandweg was a defense attorney at Quarles & Brady LLP. In 2008, he defended Arizona House of Representative Mark DeSimone from accusations of spousal abuse, and had told reporters that he would be resigning. He also raised funds for Janet Napolitano's campaigns in 2009. 2013–2014: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement In August 2013, Sandweg was named as the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the resignation of John T. Morton. The decision was met with criticism, with critics questioning his credentials due to having no experience in law enforcement. In September, Sandweg was probed for pushing Homeland Security Inspector General Charles K. Edwards to stall his report on a scandal involving the U.S. Secret Service. During his tenure, illegal immigrant removals fell in December 2013, which Sandweg attributed to identifying more criminals and a change in composition for removals. That same month, Senator Chuck Grassley gave security concerns