Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons will depart from the Department of Homeland Security ahead of a major leadership transition. The outgoing director and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed the move without revealing specific reasons behind the decision.
Todd Lyons set to resign from his position, DHS says
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons will leave the Department of Homeland Security, NBC News reports. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the departure Thursday evening. Lyons’ last day will be May 31, according to Mullin’s statement.
Mullin praised Lyons’ tenure but did not explain the reason for his departure. “Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer,” Mullin said. “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector.” President Donald Trump appointed Lyons as acting director in March 2025. He succeeded Caleb Vitello, who was reassigned from the role. Trump later appointed Mullin, a former Oklahoma senator, after firing Kristi Noem.
Lyons led ICE during controversial mass immigration crackdowns targeting Democratic-run cities. The operations sparked widespread protests across the country. Federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis during separate incidents in January.
At a congressional hearing in February, Lyons shared key enforcement statistics. He said ICE made 379,000 arrests during the administration’s first year. The agency also removed over 475,000 people from the United States.
Lyons declined at the hearing to apologize for the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Critics argued agents targeted long-standing residents rather than violent criminals.
White House border czar Tom Homan praised Lyons’ record in an emailed statement. “ICE achieved a record number of removals in the first year of this Administration, despite unprecedented challenges,” Homan said. White House adviser Stephen Miller called Lyons “a phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader.” Mullin did not announce a successor in his statement.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
