Thursday, June 29, 2023

Schuylkill County Native Tapped to Lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security


United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has announced that Patrick "PJ" Lechleitner was selected as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Lechleitner is a native of Minersville and graduate of Nativity BVM.  He is also the brother of Nativity BVM High School Principal Lynn Sabol.

National News Media like CNN and ABC News made the announcement on Wednesday and said he will replace retiring director, Tae Johnson.

Lechleitner has worked for the Department of Homeland Security for over 20 years since it was created in the early 2000's.

According to his biography from ICE, he has held positions as Acting Executive Associate Director for Homeland Security Investigation, Assistant Director for HSI’s International Operations Division, Special Agent in Charge for HSI Washington, D.C., and Deputy Assistant Director overseeing HSI’s Cyber Crimes Division.

Prior to becoming a special agent with the U.S. Customs Service and then HSI in Philadelphia, PA, was a Fairfax County Police Officer. Before starting his law enforcement career, Mr. Lechleitner was a member of the U.S. military, where he served as a U.S. Navy signals intelligence specialist supporting national security interests.

Photos from the US. Department of Homeland Security Website