&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Who will be the new ICE chief? Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons resigns as Trump's controversial immigration crackdown continues")
In a major shakeup for US President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acting ICE Director Todd Lyons will be stepping down from his post on May 31, 2026. The announcement was made on Thursday (Apr 16) by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, marking the end of a turbulent tenure defined by mass deportations and significant public outcry. "Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector.”
Who is Todd Lyons?
Trump appointed Lyons as the agency's acting director in March of 2025, succeeding Caleb Vitello, who was reassigned. According to Reuters, before being appointed acting chief of ICE, Todd Lyons served as the executive associate director of the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division, where he oversaw efforts to identify, arrest and deport undocumented migrants.
Over the years, Lyons held several senior roles within ERO, including assistant director of field operations and deputy assistant director for western operations and the southwest border. He began his career with the agency as an immigration enforcement agent in Dallas, steadily rising through the ranks to lead one of ICE’s most critical operational arms.
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Why did Todd Lyons resign?
Officially, there is no word on Lyons' reason for leaving beyond a vague “private sector” reference. Reports meanwhile suggest that Lyons will be making a move into the private sector. However, it must be noted that Lyons' departure follows months of nationwide protests. During his tenure, earlier this year, two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The Minneapolis crisis: ICE shoots dead two Americans
The most significant stain on Lyons' tenure involves the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis in January 2026. Lyons notably declined to apologise for these deaths during a February congressional hearing, a move that fueled further civil unrest.
Simultaneously, the first criminal charges against an ICE agent involved in the crackdown were filed Thursday in Minnesota, involving an incident where an agent allegedly pointed a firearm at civilians.
What’s Next for ICE and DHS?
The departure of Lyons leaves a leadership vacuum at a critical time for the Trump administration's border policy. With Secretary Mullin only recently confirmed (March 23), all eyes are on the White House to see if they will appoint another "hardliner" or a career law enforcement official to continue the mass deportation mandate.
