Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stepping down

Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin is now tasked with replacing Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons, who submitted his resignation letter on Thursday.

Lyons served in ICE for nearly 20 years and said in his letter that he wants to spend more time with his family, including his sons, who are “reaching a pivotal point in their lives,” and that it’s been a privilege to serve under President Donald Trump, Fox News reported.

“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,” Mullin said in a statement. “He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years. Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer.”

“We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector. His last day is May 31, 2026,” Mullin concluded.

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…

— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) April 17, 2026

Trump border czar Tom Homan praised Lyons’ selflessness in a statement of his own.

“Todd has served selflessly as a highly respected and effective acting Director of U.S. ICE,” Homan said. “Under his leadership, ICE achieved a record number of removals in the first year of this Administration, despite unprecedented challenges, delivering on the President’s promise to deport illegal aliens who have no right to be in the U.S., especially those that are public safety risks or pose a threat to our national security.

“I commend him for a distinguished law enforcement career and the countless contributions he has made to protect our country and advance its interests.”

Lyon’s departure was “not unexpected,” according to Fox News reporter Bill Melugin.

This is not unexpected. I’ve heard from many sources for quite some time that Lyons has wanted to spend more time with his family. One of his sons will be in his last year of high school later this year. Lyons plans to finish out until 5/31 and assist with transition.

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 17, 2026

At the same time, there was plenty of speculation online about whether Lyon’s departure reflects a policy change on mass deportations — he was seen as a key figure in President Trump’s deportations agenda.

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:

I wonder if this is a case of resigning because not allowed to do his job

— T-timeisoverIguess (@Stand4Trump2020) April 17, 2026

Is Mullin purposely slowing deportations and shifting to some fashion of support behind amnesty? Was this a quiet resignation in protest?

— Charlie Heidel (@charlieH1776) April 17, 2026

This is what slowing down and ceasing mass deportations looks like.

Pitiful.

— Karnifex Maximus (@KarnifexMaximus) April 17, 2026

pic.twitter.com/caKIy0f7ZV

— Gone fishing (@H4ppyc4mp3r_) April 17, 2026

Deport all illegals — no exceptions. 77+ MILLION VOTED FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS They’re literal criminals they broke the law by coming into this country! They all gotta go! pic.twitter.com/1KdiZTgSwL

— Lexi (@LexiMurica) April 17, 2026

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