Immigration Enforcement Chiefs Face Grilling in Congress Over Deportation Push and Urban Raids

Top officials from ICE, CBP, and USCIS to testify on aggressive enforcement tactics and controversies

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The leaders of the federal agencies at the center of President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation campaign are set to testify before Congress on Tuesday, confronting lawmakers' questions about expanded immigration enforcement operations inside major American cities and a series of controversies that have intensified public debate over the administration's approach.

Why it matters

The hearing comes at a politically fraught moment, following weeks of scrutiny over immigration raids, protests, and the fatal shootings of two demonstrators in Minneapolis involving Homeland Security officers. The controversy has prompted civil liberties groups and some lawmakers to accuse the administration of overreach and of eroding constitutional protections for immigrants and for Americans protesting federal actions.

The details

Appearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security will be Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Rodney Scott, the head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Joseph Edlow, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The officials are expected to defend the administration's policies as necessary to restore control of the immigration system and remove individuals they say have committed crimes or pose national security threats.

  • The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Todd Lyons

The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rodney Scott

The head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Joseph Edlow

The director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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What’s next

The hearing is expected to set the tone for a broader debate in Congress over whether future DHS funding should be conditioned on stricter oversight and clearer rules governing officer conduct.

The takeaway

The testimony from the immigration enforcement chiefs comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the administration's aggressive deportation tactics, including expanded operations in major cities and the use of force against protesters. The hearing will likely intensify the ongoing political battle over the scope of federal immigration enforcement and the balance between public safety and civil liberties.