President Trump has appoined Ronald Vitiello to head up the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to a tweet from the immigration agency.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ron Vitiello as U.S. Border Patrol Chief—KM #HonorFirst,” wrote acting commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan.
Mark Morgan, Vitiello’s predecessor, resigned last Thursday at the request of the new administration. He had served in his role for seven month.
Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, the union which represents border guards, applauded Trump’s choice for border chief.
“[Vitiello] and I do not see eye to eye on a great, great many things but we were always able to keep it respectful, always,” Judd said to the Washington Times.
“Morgan and I have not been able to do that.”
Vitiello most recently worked as CBP’s executive assistant commissioner for operations support and has worked as a border official for more than 30 years. He served as deputy chief during part of former President Barack Obama’s administration.
Trump intends to follow through on promises he made on the campaign trail last year, building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and hiring 5,000 additional border agents.
