Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons Resigning

Lyons cites desire to spend more time with family as reason for departure from agency.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:17pm

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A realistic painting of an ICE enforcement vehicle parked on a shadowy urban street, with warm sunlight casting dramatic diagonal shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and unease about the role of immigration enforcement.The resignation of a top ICE official underscores the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding the agency's enforcement tactics under the Trump administration.Nogales Today

Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is planning to leave his post later this spring. Lyons, who presided over the agency during President Donald Trump's controversial immigration crackdown, said in his resignation letter that he is leaving to spend more time with his family. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised Lyons' leadership, saying he "jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years" and that "American communities are safer" due to Lyons' efforts.

Why it matters

Lyons' departure comes at a pivotal time for ICE, as the agency has faced intense scrutiny and criticism from Democrats and immigration advocates over its tactics and a rising number of deaths of detainees in its custody. His resignation also follows the firing of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem more than a month ago, signaling further leadership changes at the top of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement apparatus.

The details

As acting director, Lyons oversaw the largest expansion of ICE in U.S. history, with funding through the "One Big Beautiful Bill" championed by President Trump. During his tenure, the Trump administration sent ICE officers into cities across the U.S. as part of stepped-up federal immigration enforcement efforts. Lyons faced fierce criticism from Democrats, who have denounced the agency's tactics and the rising number of deaths of detainees held in ICE custody.

  • Lyons' last day as acting ICE director will be May 31, 2026.
  • Lyons' resignation comes more than a month after the firing of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

The players

Todd Lyons

The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who is resigning from his post to spend more time with his family.

Markwayne Mullin

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary who praised Lyons' leadership of ICE and said American communities are safer due to his efforts.

Donald Trump

The former president who championed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that provided funding for the largest expansion of ICE in U.S. history during Lyons' tenure.

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What they’re saying

“Todd has served selflessly as a highly respected and effective acting Director of ICE, presiding over a record number of removals in the first year of Trump's second term, despite unprecedented challenges.”

— Tom Homan, Trump's border czar

“Despite routine villainization, ICE personnel are working around the clock to carry out President Trump's commonsense agenda to make Americans safe again, restore order to our communities, and implement law-and-order policies.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet named a permanent replacement for Lyons as ICE director.

The takeaway

Lyons' departure from ICE comes at a time of intense scrutiny and criticism of the agency's tactics, particularly under the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies. His resignation signals further leadership changes at the top of the administration's immigration enforcement apparatus.