ICE Head Todd Lyons Resigning This Spring

Longtime agency veteran plans to depart in June to spend more time with family

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:10pm

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A solitary ICE enforcement vehicle parked on a dimly lit urban street, the warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the pavement and building facades, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and uncertainty about the agency's future direction.The impending departure of ICE's acting director Todd Lyons leaves the agency at a crossroads as it navigates the Trump administration's contentious immigration policies.Boston Today

Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is planning to leave the federal government later this spring after leading the agency at the forefront of the Trump administration's deportation crackdown for over a year, according to two U.S. officials familiar with his plan.

Why it matters

Lyons' departure will create a leadership void at the helm of an agency that has become a flashpoint over its central and highly visible role in the Trump administration's nationwide operation to deport millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Finding a successor for Lyons will be one of the first major decisions for the new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

The details

Lyons, a two-decade ICE veteran, told colleagues that he's planning to depart the agency in June to spend more time with family, including his sons, in Massachusetts. He is expected to join the private sector after leaving ICE. Lyons publicly embraced the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, but at times disagreed internally with some administration decisions, including efforts to elevate Border Patrol officials to lead controversial roundups in major U.S. cities.

  • Lyons plans to depart ICE in June 2026.
  • Lyons was named acting ICE director in March 2025.

The players

Todd Lyons

The acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who is planning to leave the federal government later this spring.

Markwayne Mullin

The newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary who will be tasked with finding a successor for Lyons.

Gregory Bovino

A Border Patrol official who was temporarily tasked with leading controversial immigration roundups in major U.S. cities, before being relieved of that command.

Tom Homan

The Border Czar who was sent to Minneapolis to wind down the controversial immigration operation led by Bovino.

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What’s next

Finding a successor for Lyons will be one of the first major decisions for new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

The takeaway

Lyons' departure will create a leadership void at the helm of an agency that has been at the center of the Trump administration's controversial immigration enforcement policies. His successor will face intense scrutiny and pressure from both supporters and critics of the administration's approach.