CURTICE, Ohio — Ohio is often referred to as the “mother of presidents,” but one northwest Ohioan has been tapped for a different role in Washington.
On Monday, Curtice native Madison Sheahan started her new job as the deputy director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, serving under U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“From Day 1, we knew she would be in the White House,” said Kristen Dominique, Ms. Sheahan’s friend. “We actually joke that she will be the first female president.”
Laura Sheahan, Ms. Sheahan’s mom, said her daughter’s experience in leadership roles started with her involvement in the local chapter of FFA, formerly Future Farmers of America.
“My son loved working with the animals in FFA,” Mrs. Sheahan said. “Madison liked working with the animals, too, but there is also a public-speaking, leadership component of FFA that she enjoyed even more.”
Ms. Sheahan graduated from Genoa High School in 2015. Her first dabble in politics happened when she ran for a statewide office within FFA. She served as vice president for Ohio’s FFA chapter during her first year at Ohio State University. Attempts to reach Ms. Sheahan through ICE for a comment were unsuccessful.
Denese Vargo, Ms. Sheahan’s aunt, watched her niece grow up through FFA. She thought her niece would become an attorney or work with animals — not the deputy director of ICE.
“When she was a little girl, she would tell you exactly how it was,” Ms. Vargo said. “She doesn’t beat around the bush.”
One of Ms. Vargo’s favorite memories of her niece’s fiery attitude was at a family party, when Ms. Vargo was proudly showing off her new shirt.
“I told her I had just bought the shirt, and she responded with, ‘Why?’” Ms. Vargo laughed, noting that her niece was a young child at the time. “She did not like it.”
At Ohio State University Ms. Sheahan joined the rowing team and won two Big Ten championships. In staying true to her leadership-driven self, she served as team captain during her senior year.
She also worked with the university’s former football coach, Urban Meyer, to develop the “Lead like a Buckeye” program, which is designed to help sports team leaders and captains develop skills necessary to lead their teams and become effective leaders.
“Madison has always been a hard worker, never one to shy away from a challenge,” said Kellie Szymanski, Ms. Sheahan’s friend. “Whether in academics, athletics, or her personal pursuits, she has always displayed an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
She graduated from Ohio State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in public affairs, public management, leadership, policy, and agribusiness. She also graduated with minors in community and business leadership. After graduation, the northwest Ohio native stayed in Columbus to work for the Ohio Republican Party, which is where she met Ms. Noem, who was the governor of South Dakota at the time.
The two hit it off, and Ms. Noem later asked Ms. Sheahan to work on agriculture policy for her administration. Ms. Sheahan worked under Ms. Noem from 2021 until 2024.
In 2024, Ms. Sheahan packed up her life in South Dakota to move to Louisiana. Tapping into her FFA roots, she most recently worked under Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
In Washington, Ms. Sheahan will work under acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. Together, they will be tasked with targeting, arresting, and deporting illegal aliens, according to a news release from the Department of Homeland Security.
Ms. Sheahan and Mr. Lyons will take over operations at ICE during a time when immigration has become highly politicized by both parties. The Biden administration was criticized for the increase of illegal immigrants coming into the United States through the southern border, and President Trump has made cracking down on immigration a key focus of his administration.
“I hope she helps realign this country and protect us from the illegal folks,” Ms. Dominique said of Ms. Sheahan. “There is a lot of chaos and a lack of management from who is coming and going into the U.S.”
Her mother said she just hopes her daughter does what’s right for herself and the country, and she is confident that her daughter will.
“My hope for her is that God guides her down a path of grace, and she remains steadfast in the faith that is God’s plan for her,” Mrs. Sheahan said.
First Published March 17, 2025, 6:03 p.m.
