Lawmakers Summon Immigration Chiefs After Protester Deaths

Heads of ICE, CBP, and USCIS to testify on enforcement practices amid public backlash

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The heads of the federal agencies carrying out President Trump's immigration enforcement agenda have been called to testify before Congress following the deaths of two protesters at the hands of Homeland Security officers. Todd Lyons of ICE, Rodney Scott of CBP, and Joseph Edlow of USCIS will face questions about their agencies' tactics and policies, which have drawn criticism for allegedly trampling on the rights of both immigrants and American citizens protesting the crackdown.

Why it matters

The hearing comes amid falling public support for the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement efforts, with Democrats threatening to shut down the Department of Homeland Security if new restrictions are not placed on the agencies. The deaths of the protesters have further inflamed tensions and raised questions about the tactics used by federal immigration officers, including the widespread use of masked uniforms that critics say are meant to intimidate communities.

The details

The agency heads will be pressed on a range of issues, including a controversial ICE memo that gave officers more leeway to forcibly enter homes to arrest deportees without a judge's warrant. They will also likely face scrutiny over the rapid expansion of immigration enforcement under Trump, with ICE undergoing a major hiring boom to deploy officers across the country.

  • The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • The Department of Homeland Security faces a partial government shutdown if a funding deal is not reached by Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Todd Lyons

The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Rodney Scott

The head of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Joseph Edlow

The director of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Democratic leader.

Hakeem Jeffries

The House Democratic leader.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This hearing highlights the growing tensions over the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which have drawn criticism for allegedly violating the rights of both immigrants and American citizens. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of federal immigration policy and the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.