Report: Acting ICE Head Lyons Plans to Leave Agency This Spring
April 16, 2026
The acting head of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning to leave the federal government later this spring, CBS News reported on Thursday, citing two U.S. officials familiar with his plan.
Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons will depart the agency at the end of May, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that Lyons' last day will be May 31, stating he is leaving for an opportunity in the private sector. Lyons, who was appointed to lead ICE in March 2025, has been a central figure in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement and deportation strategy. His departure marks a significant leadership change for an agency that has been at the forefront of policy debates and has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017.
Lyons' tenure as acting director has been defined by his role in executing a large-scale expansion of immigration enforcement. Appointed by then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March 2025 to instill a "culture of results and accountability," Lyons oversaw a period of significant growth for the agency. Under his leadership, ICE received a substantial increase in congressional funding, which was used to expand detention capacity, hire more personnel, and ramp up arrests. Lyons, who began his career as an immigration enforcement agent in 2007, previously held several leadership roles within ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) directorate before becoming the agency's head.
The agency's aggressive tactics during Lyons' leadership drew both praise from the administration and significant controversy. White House officials and supporters lauded his work, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller calling him a "phenomenal patriot" whose efforts saved American lives. However, this period was also marked by high-profile enforcement operations in major U.S. cities that led to widespread criticism and legal challenges. Public perception of ICE remained low during this time, and Lyons himself faced intense scrutiny from Congress regarding the deaths of two civilians during enforcement actions. In a February 2026 hearing, he declined to resign when pressed by lawmakers.
The departure of Lyons occurs during a period of transition within the Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Mullin, who announced the resignation, took over the department just last month after the departure of Kristi Noem. This change at the top of ICE introduces further uncertainty for an agency that has been a flashpoint for political and social debate. The next director will inherit an agency that is well-funded but remains deeply embroiled in controversy and faces ongoing demands from Democratic lawmakers for greater restraints on its operations.
It remains unclear who will be named to succeed Lyons as the head of ICE. The continued reliance on acting directors to lead the nearly $10 billion agency highlights the long-standing political challenges surrounding its mission and leadership. The next person to fill the role will be tasked with navigating the complex legal and political landscape of U.S. immigration policy while managing the day-to-day operations of a workforce of over 27,000 employees. The selection will be a key indicator of the administration's future direction on immigration enforcement.
Source: newsmax