Acting ICE director Todd Lyons to leave agency

Rebecca Falconer

A close-up of a middle-aged man in a navy suit and striped red-blue tie, with a small American flag pin, speaking into a microphone; gray hair, looking to the side, blue-gray background. — Todd Lyons testifies during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images

Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Todd Lyons submitted his resignation on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed.

Why it matters: Lyons has defended ICE's conduct in Congress and the courtroom as the agency faces scrutiny over President Trump's mass deportation drive.

The scrutiny has been particularly focused on the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January.

Driving the news: The ICE veteran said in a letter to Mullin that he's resigning to take a job in the private sector, Fox News first reported.

He will remain in the role until May 31 so he can help with the transition process.

What they're saying: "Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE," Mullin said in an emailed statement.

"Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer."

Go deeper: ICE deported 442k people in fiscal year 2025

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Acting ICE director Todd Lyons to leave agency

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