ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to Depart in May Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, who served during controversial mass immigration crackdowns, is leaving his post on May 31. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed the departure, praising Lyons' leadership for enhancing community safety. Lyons' tenure was marked by significant enforcement actions, including mass deportations and controversial incidents, while White House officials lauded his contributions to national security. Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who guided the agency through a period marked by significant immigration enforcement actions, is set to conclude his tenure next month. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced Lyons' departure on Thursday, stating that his leadership has contributed to enhanced safety within American communities. Mullin conveyed well wishes for Lyons' future endeavors in the private sector, with his final day scheduled for May 31. The specific reasons behind Lyons' resignation were not disclosed in the announcement. Lyons assumed the acting leadership role during a period characterized by controversial, large-scale immigration crackdowns, which notably targeted cities governed by Democratic administrations during the Trump presidency. These enforcement operations sparked considerable public outcry and widespread protests in the affected urban centers. Adding to the controversy, federal agents were involved in incidents resulting in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year. President Donald Trump initially appointed Lyons as acting director in March 2025, succeeding Caleb Vitello, who was subsequently reassigned. This appointment followed President Trump's selection of Markwayne Mullin, a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma and a known political ally, to lead the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem who was dismissed. Mullin's confirmation by the Senate occurred on March 23. During his presidential campaign, Trump had pledged to implement substantial deportations of individuals residing in the U.S. unlawfully. However, the mass crackdowns generated criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised that federal agents were apprehending long-term residents rather than focusing solely on individuals involved in violent criminal activities. In a congressional hearing held in February, Lyons reported that ICE had conducted 379,000 arrests within the initial year of the Trump administration and had facilitated the removal of over 475,000 individuals from the United States. When questioned about the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who tragically lost their lives in separate incidents in Minneapolis in January, Lyons declined to offer an apology during the hearing. White House border czar Tom Homan remarked on Thursday that under Lyons' direction, ICE achieved a record number of removals during the administration's first year, navigating significant challenges. Homan extended his commendation to Lyons for his distinguished career in law enforcement and his substantial contributions to national security and the advancement of American interests. Stephen Miller, a prominent immigration hard-liner and White House adviser, issued a statement describing Lyons as a phenomenal patriot and a dedicated leader, integral to President Trump's historic initiatives to secure the nation and counteract what he termed the Democrats' sinister border invasion. Secretary Mullin's statement did not include information regarding who will assume leadership of ICE following Lyons' departure. The ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and enforcement continues to be a central issue, with the actions of agencies like ICE under scrutiny from various political and social groups