Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is set to resign at the end of May according to DHS officials.
Markwayne Mullin, the new secretary of homeland security, announced the departure and called Lyons a great leader who helped to make America safer.
“We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector,” Mullin said in a statement. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request made by the Associated Press about why the resignation was submitted.
Lyons was named director in March 2025 and led the agency controversial agency pursuant to Trump’s plans for immigration overhaul. Under his guidance, the agency received an influx of cash that assisted with hiring efforts, and it increased arrests in line with the administration’s demands.
Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff and the person who shaped the current immigration policy, lauded Lyons as dedicated and courageous in his work at ICE.
“His courageous work at ICE has saved countless thousands of American lives and helped deliver safety and tranquility to millions of Americans,” Miller said.
On Thursday, the director sat before a House subcommittee to discuss ICE’s budget and answer questions about the way the agency conducts its business.
Public sentiment towards ICE during his tenure has been largely negative, in part due to arguably illegal immigration raids, the deaths of Americans at the hands of ICE agents, and the overall treatment of immigrants targeted by the department.
In response to questions about the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two Americans killed by ICE during a targeted operation in Minnesota, Lyons declined to comment during the House hearing.
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the family in private. But I’m not going to comment on any active investigation,” he said.
Lyons joined the agency in 2007 as an enforcement agent in Texas. He signed the memo that allowed ICE agents the ability to forcibly enter homes and make arrests without a warrant.
It unknown who will replace him.
