Trump’s ICE Boss Exits After Driving One Of Largest Deportation Surges In Modern History

President Donald Trump’s acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Todd Lyons is set to leave the agency after overseeing roughly 584,000 deportations.

Lyons first shared his plans to retire with The Daily Wire in September, stating his departure would be in “a year or two.” In a Thursday night statement, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called Lyons “a great leader of ICE” and a “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,” Mullin said. “Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer. We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector.”

Lyons’ last day at ICE will be May 31, Mullin said.

A source familiar with his departure plans told The Daily Wire that Lyons “needs a break,” but that his ultimate reason for leaving the agency was “wanting to be back with his family.”

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson wrote on X Thursday that “Todd is an American patriot who made our country safer,” adding, “The American people are deeply appreciative for his service.”

Lyons has 20 years of service with ICE and was previously in the United States Air Force.

While leading ICE, he commanded the respect of rank-and-file agents and officers. He also leaves with the respect of Trump administration officials spearheading the mass deportation campaign.

Trump’s border czar Tom Homan told Fox News that Lyons “has served selflessly as a highly respected and effective acting Director of U.S. ICE.”

“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,” Homan said.

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

White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller told Fox News that “Todd is a phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader who has been at the center of President Trump’s historic efforts to secure our homeland and reverse the Democrats’ sinister border invasion.”

“His courageous work at ICE has saved countless thousands of American lives and helped deliver safety and tranquility to millions of Americans,” Miller said.