mr. homen is the acting director of u.s. immigration and customs enforcement, sometimes known as i.c.e. which is the principal investigative agency of the department of homeland security. he became acting director on january 30th, 2017. since 2013, mr. homen has served as the director of the i.c.e. enforcement and removal operations. mr. homen is a 33-year veteran of law enforcement. and has nearly 30 years of immigration enforcement experience. he has served in numerous capacities in law enforcement, including -- i was pleased to learn -- as a police officer in my home town of new york city. he's also served as a border patrol agent, a agent with ins which became part of i.c.e., as well as a supervisor. he hold as bachelor degree in criminal justice and received the presidential rank award in 2015 for his exemplerry leadership and extensive accomplishments in the area of immigration enforcement. please join me in welcoming thomas d. homen. >> i want to get out here and send a message to the public that what they're reading