Who replaces Todd Lyons as ICE chief after resignation? What DHS has said so far

Todd Lyons will resign as head of ICE at the end of May after leading the agency since March 2025.

Todd Lyons will step down as head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the end of May, bringing to a close a turbulent tenure at the agency. According to The Guardian, Lyons has led ICE since March 2025 and will leave the role to move into the private sector.

Acting Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons testifies during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in an oversight hearing amid scrutiny over immigration enforcement and recent developments in Minnesota at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC on February 12, 2026. (AFP)

His resignation was confirmed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who announced the decision in a statement.

New York Post reported that Lyons submitted his resignation letter on Thursday and will remain in position until May 31 to assist with the transition. In the letter, he cited family reasons, saying his sons were at “a pivotal point in their lives” and that stepping down was “the right one for me and my family at this time.”

What DHS has said about his replacement

So far, DHS has not named a successor to Lyons.

Mullin’s statement did not include details about who will succeed Lyons, The Guardian reported, adding that both DHS and the White House did not immediately respond to inquiries on the matter.

This means there is currently no confirmed replacement, either interim or permanent, for the ICE chief role.

Tenure marked by expansion and backlash

Lyons’ exit comes after a year of aggressive immigration enforcement and mounting criticism.

During his tenure, ICE significantly expanded its operations, hiring thousands of officers and increasing detention capacity, according to The Guardian. The agency also defended its focus on arresting what it described as “the worst of the worst,” though an analysis found many entering deportation proceedings had no criminal convictions.

The period was also marked by controversy, including backlash over enforcement tactics and incidents such as fatal shootings in Minneapolis and a California traffic stop, which Lyons publicly defended.

Despite criticism, Lyons received strong backing from the administration. Mullin described him as “a great leader of ICE” who helped make “American communities safer,” according to New York Post.

As Lyons prepares to exit, however, the question of who will take over remains unanswered.