Trump's Immigration Chiefs Testify After Protester Deaths

Lawmakers grill ICE, CBP leaders over aggressive enforcement tactics and rising public backlash

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The heads of the agencies carrying out President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda, including Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, and USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, testified before Congress amid falling public support for immigration enforcement. They faced tough questions over recent killings of protesters, aggressive tactics, and concerns about civil liberties and constitutional rights.

Why it matters

The hearing comes at a critical juncture, with Democrats threatening to shut down the Department of Homeland Security if new limits aren't placed on immigration enforcement. The Trump administration's hardline policies have sparked growing public backlash, especially after the deaths of protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good, raising questions about the agencies' conduct and accountability.

The details

The officials defended their agencies' actions, with Lyons declining to apologize to the families of Pretti and Good. Lawmakers pressed them on issues like warrantless home entries, the use of masked officers, and the surge of arrests in states like Maine. The agencies have faced criticism for tactics that critics say trample on the rights of both immigrants and American citizens protesting the enforcement actions.

  • The hearing took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • Congress has funded DHS through February 13th, with Democrats demanding changes to ICE as part of a new spending bill.

The players

Todd Lyons

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

Rodney Scott

The commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Joseph Edlow

The director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Alex Pretti and Renee Good

Two Americans killed during protests over the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis.

Rep. Eric Swalwell

A Democratic congressman from California who pressed Lyons to resign.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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)

“The family of ICE personnel have been made to feel unsafe in their homes. We are only getting started.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director (Hearing testimony)

What’s next

The judge in the case against Walker Reed Quinn will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This hearing highlights the growing tensions over the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which have sparked public backlash and raised concerns about civil liberties, accountability, and the appropriate use of force by federal agents.