Nominee for ICE head says he will defend agency's worth

Ronald Vitiello, the nominee for director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will testify before the Senate Wednesday that if confirmed to lead the embattled homeland security component, he will make it his mission to highlight why the agency is necessary despite calls for its abolition.

“If confirmed, one of my highest priorities will be to better demonstrate to the public, Congress, and the media the importance of our mission to homeland security and public safety — and why our agency’s existence should not be up for debate,” Vitiello will say, according to a copy of his prepared opening statement obtained by the Washington Examiner.