Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons will resign at the end of May, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed. His last day will be May 31, 2026, and he plans to transition to the private sector. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised Lyons' leadership, stating he played a key role in removing 'murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members' from American communities. Lyons, who was appointed acting director in March 2025, oversaw a significant increase in deportations under President Donald Trump's administration.
Lyons' departure comes amid controversy over ICE's aggressive enforcement operations, including a high-profile deployment in Minneapolis that resulted in the deaths of two American protesters. The agency has faced criticism from rights groups over allegations of free speech violations and due process concerns. Additionally, an ICE agent was recently charged with assault in Minnesota, marking the first such charges related to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
Before leading ICE, Lyons served as the executive associate director of the agency's Enforcement and Removal Operations directorate. He also has a background in the U.S. Air Force special forces. The White House and Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, have lauded Lyons' work, calling him a 'dedicated leader' and 'American patriot.'
The resignation leaves a leadership void at ICE, which has not had a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017. The agency has faced scrutiny over its role in Trump's immigration policies, including mass deportations and city-wide enforcement operations. Lyons' departure also follows recent changes at DHS, including the ousting of former Secretary Kristi Noem.