Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to Step Down

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announces Lyons' departure later this spring.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:58am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic painting of a lone ICE vehicle parked outside a nondescript government building, the scene bathed in warm, golden sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet melancholy and unease.The resignation of Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons comes amid a climate of rising violence and threats against federal immigration enforcement officers.Dallas Today

Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons is stepping down from his role later this spring, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced on Thursday. The announcement comes amid reports of a shooting incident at an ICE facility in Dallas, which Lyons discussed in a live interview.

Why it matters

Lyons' departure comes at a time of heightened tensions and violence directed towards ICE officers, with the acting director noting a over 1,000% increase in assaults on ICE personnel. The Dallas shooting is the second such incident at an ICE facility in the area, underscoring the challenging environment Lyons and the agency have faced.

The details

In the live interview, Lyons stated that as he was en route to the studio, he was notified of a possible sniper shooting at the ICE Dallas field office. Preliminary reports indicated that three individuals were shot and transported to the hospital, though it was unclear if they were ICE employees, civilians, or detainees. Lyons said the building was on lockdown but the scene was secured, with the Texas Department of Public Safety reporting the shooter was down from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

  • Lyons is stepping down from his role as Acting ICE Director later this spring.

The players

Todd Lyons

The Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who is stepping down from his role later this spring.

Markwayne Mullin

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who announced Lyons' departure.

Texas Department of Public Safety

The state law enforcement agency that reported the shooter in the Dallas ICE facility incident was down from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Right now preliminary information is a possible sniper. We have 3 individuals that are down at this time. We're not sure on their condition. They've been taken to the hospital.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director

“This just shows the violence that's being increased against ICE officers and agents. This is the 2nd time now we've had a shooting at one of our facilities in the Dallas area, and really it's, it's, it's just a sad time that we have to worry about violence against law enforcement.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director

The takeaway

Lyons' departure as Acting ICE Director comes at a challenging time for the agency, with heightened tensions and violence directed towards its officers. The Dallas shooting incident underscores the difficult environment Lyons and ICE have faced, even as the agency has seen a surge in recruitment interest.