Amy Goodman
Amy Goodman
@DemocracyNow·3.2M subscribers·18.6K videos

“Revolving Door”: Former GEO Group VP David Venturella Is New Interim ICE Chief

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June 1, 2026

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President Donald Trump has tapped David Venturella, a former ICE official and executive at the private prison company GEO Group, to replace Todd Lyons as head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. GEO Group saw its profits jump from $32 million in 2024 to more than $254 million in 2025 as the Trump administration expanded government contracts with ICE jails nationwide.

Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at Detention Watch Network, says private prison companies have an “intricate” relationship with ICE. “It’s really a revolving door,” she says, pointing out that Venturella worked for ICE under Presidents Bush and Obama, then went to GEO Group before this latest appointment by President Trump. “It’s really hard to see where the interests of ICE end and those of private prison companies begin,” says Ghandehari.

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Guests & Subjects Covered

“Revolving Door”President Donald TrumpDavid VenturellaGEO GroupTodd LyonsCustoms Enforcement GEO GroupSetareh GhandehariDetention Watch Network

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“Revolving Door”: Former GEO Group VP David Venturella Is New Interim ICE Chief · Amy Goodman · Sentinel