Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons will step down as head of the agency at the end of May.
His resignation, which was confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security, came as a surprise, and the reason wasn’t immediately given. Lyons appears to be departing on good terms, with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praising his work at the agency.
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“Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members from American communities. He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years. Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer,” Mullin said in a post on X.
Mullin said Lyons was departing for a role in the private sector.
The news came the same day Lyons testified in front of the House appropriations committee for a budget hearing.
White House Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, widely seen as the architect of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, also lauded Lyons with praise, hailing him as “a phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader.”
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“His courageous work at ICE has saved countless thousands of American lives and helped deliver safety and tranquility to millions of Americans,” he said in a statement obtained by the Washington Post.
Lyons has been less publicly visible in his role as ICE head but has served as a loyal member of Trump’s administration. He weathered the tumultuous exit of his former boss, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and the increased attacks on ICE over the past half year.
