Turbulent Tenure: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons Resigns After Tumultuous Year

Todd Lyons, the acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is stepping down after a turbulent year at the helm of the agency, carrying out former President Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies. Lyons, who has been leading ICE since March 2025, will resign at the end of May and move to the private sector, Markwayne Mullin, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, announced on Thursday.

Lyons' departure comes after a tumultuous period during which he oversaw the implementation of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement agenda. Throughout his tenure, Lyons faced criticism from immigrant advocates and civil liberties groups over the agency's tactics, including controversial deportation raids and the detention of undocumented immigrants.

The outgoing ICE director also presided over the agency during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated concerns about the treatment of detainees in ICE facilities. Advocacy groups and lawmakers repeatedly called for the release of vulnerable individuals, citing the risk of virus outbreaks in crowded detention centers.

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Mullin, the DHS secretary, praised Lyons' leadership during his time at ICE, stating that he had