Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to Depart Federal Government This Spring Todd Lyons, the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), plans to leave his post in June after more than a year leading the agency during President Trump's heightened deportation efforts. Lyons, a two-decade ICE veteran, is reportedly transitioning to the private sector and cited family reasons for his departure. His exit creates a leadership void at a critical juncture for the agency, which has been at the forefront of controversial immigration enforcement policies. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed Lyons' departure, praising his leadership in removing individuals deemed dangerous from communities. Todd Lyons, who has been at the helm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as its acting director, is preparing to conclude his tenure in federal service this spring. His departure, slated for June, marks the end of a period characterized by his leadership during President Trump's intensified deportation efforts. Lyons, a veteran of ICE for two decades, informed his colleagues of his decision, citing a desire to dedicate more time to his family, including his sons, in Massachusetts. He is anticipated to transition into the private sector following his exit from the agency. Lyons' departure will leave a significant leadership vacancy at an agency that has become a focal point of national debate. ICE has played a central and highly visible role in the Trump administration's nationwide operation aimed at deporting millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. The question of his successor remains open, highlighting a recurring challenge for ICE. The agency has experienced a notable lack of a Senate-confirmed head for nearly a decade, with the last confirmed director appointed at the close of the Obama administration in early 2017. Lyons assumed the role of acting ICE director in March 2025. The selection of Lyons' replacement will be a critical early task for newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Mullin's confirmation occurred last month, following the dismissal of Kristi Noem, who faced scrutiny over her leadership approach and growing public opposition to aggressive immigration enforcement policies in various cities, including Minneapolis. Secretary Mullin acknowledged Lyons' impending departure in a statement to CBS News, confirming May 31 as his final official day and extending well wishes for his private sector endeavors. Mullin lauded Lyons' leadership, stating that he had been instrumental in facilitating the removal of individuals deemed dangerous, such as murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members, thereby enhancing community safety. He credited Lyons with revitalizing an agency he felt had been constrained for the preceding four years. Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, echoed these sentiments, describing Lyons as a dedicated patriot and leader who was integral to President Trump's initiatives to secure the nation and counter what he termed a border invasion orchestrated by Democrats. White House border czar Tom Homan also commended Lyons for his selfless service and significant contributions to national security and interests throughout his distinguished law enforcement career. An Air Force veteran with overseas deployment experience, Lyons began his ICE career as an agent in Dallas in 2007. He steadily advanced through the ranks, holding positions such as the number two role in ICE's Dallas field office and later director of the agency's Boston region, which encompasses New England. His career trajectory included leadership roles at ICE headquarters, notably as assistant director for field operations within the Enforcement and Removal Operations directorate, the agency's deportation arm. Despite his public alignment with President Trump's enforcement agenda, Lyons was reportedly well-regarded among career ICE officials. However, sources indicate he had internal disagreements with certain administration directives. One such instance involved former Secretary Noem's attempt to elevate Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino to lead extensive and controversial large-scale immigration enforcement operations in major American cities. Following the tragic shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which sparked bipartisan condemnation, Bovino was removed from his command in that operation. Tom Homan was subsequently deployed to Minneapolis to oversee the winding down of the operation, and Bovino has since retired from government service. While Lyons permitted ICE agents to apprehend any individual they determined to be residing in the U.S. unlawfully, his internal efforts reportedly focused on prioritizing the apprehension and deportation of individuals with criminal histories, a long-standing agency priority. Over the past year, ICE has faced intense criticism from Democratic lawmakers, with some advocating for the agency's dissolution. A growing segment of the public has characterized ICE's operations as inhumane and excessively severe, with particular criticism directed at agents wearing masks during operations. Congressional Democrats have indicated they will not approve full funding for ICE unless the Trump administration agrees to implement specific reforms, contributing to the ongoing partial government shutdown. Under Lyons' leadership, ICE undertook a significant recruitment drive, aiming to hire thousands of additional deportation agents, bolstered by $75 billion in funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Additionally, a memo he signed in May 2025, which was disclosed earlier this year by a whistleblower, authorized ICE agents to enter private residences without judicial warrants in specific operational contexts. This directive represented a notable departure from established agency practices and policies