Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to Depart This Spring

U.S. officials familiar with his plan. Lyons, who has led the agency for over a year, informed colleagues of his intention to depart in June. He cited a desire to spend more time with family, including his sons, in Massachusetts, and he is expected to join the private sector.

The move comes as ICE continues to play a central role in deportation operations under the current administration. Lyons was named acting ICE director in March 2025. The agency has lacked a Senate-confirmed head since early 2017.

Officials confirmed Lyons' last official day is set for May 31.

A statement from a Homeland Security official praised Lyons as a leader who helped remove individuals with criminal backgrounds from communities and restarted agency operations after previous restrictions. ICE has faced scrutiny from lawmakers and the public over its operations, including calls for reforms and funding disputes contributing to a partial government shutdown.

Lyons is a two-decade ICE veteran and an Air Force veteran who deployed overseas.

He joined ICE in 2007 as an agent in Dallas and advanced through roles, including field office director for the Boston region covering New England. Later, he held leadership positions at ICE headquarters, such as assistant director for field operations in the Enforcement and Removal Operations branch.

Lyons publicly supported administration immigration policies but internally advocated for prioritizing arrests of those with criminal histories.

Lyons' leadership, ICE has recruited thousands of additional deportation agents using funds from recent legislation.

U.S. citizens and subsequent backlash. A Border Patrol official was relieved of command following the incidents, and operations were wound down.