Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons submitted his resignation letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Thursday. Lyons will leave his position on May 31.
Lyons stated he wants to spend more time with his family. He said, “it’s been a privilege to serve under President Donald Trump.”
In a statement released Thursday, DHS Secretary Mullin praised Lyons: “Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members from American communities. He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years. Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer.” Mullin added, “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector. His last day is May 31, 2026.”
Lyons has overseen roughly 584,000 ICE deportations since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term last year. He has served in ICE for 20 years and was previously in special forces in the U.S. Air Force.
A replacement for Lyons remains uncertain. The agency has not had a Senate-confirmed leader since the Obama administration.
