The interim director of ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Todd Lyons, said he will leave his position at the end of May to move into the private sector. The departure comes at a time of pressure on the agency, responsible for implementing the president’s (Republican Party) mass deportation policy.
Lyons informed in a letter that he was “a tremendous honor” lead the organization, but decided to leave “spend more time with family”according to journalists and . “My children are reaching a pivotal time in their lives, and my wife and I want to spend as much time with them as possible.”he wrote. “It was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one at this time.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that Lyons’ last day will be May 31 and said he is expected to take a position in the private sector, according to journalist . In a note, Mullin stated: “Thanks to your leadership, American communities are safer.”
Lyons’ tenure was in several cities across the United States. Federal agents carried out actions in urban areas to detain migrants, which provoked disputes with local authorities and criticism from civil organizations.
Cases of deaths during operations increased pressure on the agency. In Minneapolis, in ICE actions this year, which sparked protests and led the government to reduce part of its operations. Trump said that .
During a congressional hearing, Lyons said that ICE made 379,000 arrests and more than 475,000 deportations in the first year of the Trump administration. He was criticized for not apologizing for the deaths recorded in the operations.
The departure also comes weeks after changes in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. Mullin took office after the resignation of Kristi Noem, amid controversies in the conduct of immigration policy.
Behind the scenes, the decision to leave the position was also associated with personal exhaustion. The journalist, from , reported that Lyons faced health problems linked to stress and was hospitalized during his period at the helm of the agency.
Government allies praised the director’s performance. White House aide Stephen Miller said Lyons was “a phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader” in actions to reinforce border control.
