ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to Resign in May

ICE acting director Todd Lyons will step down at the end of May amid ongoing policy scrutiny.

Change in Leadership and Announcement of Resignation

WASHINGTON — Federal officials said on Thursday that Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a major implementer of President Donald Trump's goal for mass deportations, will step down at the end of May. Lyons' departure was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who described him as an excellent ICE leader who contributed to the safety of American communities. Lyons' last day will be May 31, according to Mullin. In a statement, Mullin added, "We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector." Lyons oversaw the organization at the heart of President Donald Trump's proposals to change immigration to the United States after being appointed interim head in March 2025.

Effects of Policy and Enforcement Measures

Under his direction, the agency received a large funding boost from Congress, which it utilized to increase staffing and detention capacity and increase arrests in response to the administration's demands. Additionally, ICE played a key role in a number of well-publicized immigration enforcement operations in American cities, including as Chicago and Minneapolis. This deployment came to an end when protests broke out over the deaths of two American demonstrators at the hands of federal immigration police. Lyons was referred to as a "dedicated leader" by Stephen Miller, the president's deputy chief of staff and the primary designer of his immigration strategy. In a statement, Miller said, "His brave work at ICE has saved countless thousands of American lives and helped deliver safety and tranquility to millions of Americans." In a post on X, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson referred to Lyons as "an American patriot who made our country safer."

Public Reaction and Political Scrutiny

Who might take Lyons' position is unclear. However, whoever succeeds will take over a financially successful agency that is still a hotbed of controversy. Congress is engaged in a struggle over ICE, with Democratic senators calling for restrictions on immigration police before agreeing to reinstate regular funding for DHS. Lyons and two other senior immigration officials came before a House subcommittee on Thursday to defend his agency's budget while lawmakers continued to scrutinize ICE's operations. Lyons' retirement also coincides with DHS's new leadership following Trump's dismissal of previous Secretary Kristi Noem, who guided the agency through the administration's significant reforms to immigration laws. Although he has softened his stance on several of the administration's most controversial measures, Mullin, who became secretary last month, is probably going to keep pushing the president's agenda. ICE was not well-liked by the public when Lyons was in office. The majority of American adults, including independents, expressed a negative opinion of the agency in a February AP-NORC survey.