A federal judge in Minnesota ordered Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, to appear in court to explain why the agency has not complied with court orders amid an expanded immigration enforcement campaign linked to two fatal shootings. Lyons oversees more than 27,400 staff and manages an annual budget of nearly $10 billion, with additional funding from the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Appointed acting director in March 2025, he previously led Enforcement and Removal Operations and has a background in both military service and frontline immigration enforcement.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons Summoned to Court Over Agency Noncompliance
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons looks at his notes before giving a television interview on the West Wing driveway at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 3, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to appear in court on Friday to explain why the agency has not complied with prior court orders as it implements the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies. The judge's summons comes amid heightened scrutiny after the agency's actions have been linked to two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens.
Lyons' Role and Agency Scope
Todd Lyons leads an agency of more than 27,400 employees and manages an annual operating budget of nearly $10 billion. According to ICE's website, the agency also received in excess of $74 billion in funding from the omnibus measure dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which included resources for immigration enforcement among other provisions.
Career and ICE Experience
Lyons was named acting director of ICE in March 2025 after serving as the Executive Associate Director of the agency's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) directorate. In that capacity, he oversaw efforts to arrest and remove migrants who entered the United States unlawfully, according to his official biography.
Within ERO, Lyons held several senior posts, including Assistant Director of Field Operations and Deputy Assistant Director for Western Operations and the Southwest Border. He began his ICE career as an immigration enforcement agent based in Dallas.
Prior Military Service
Lyons entered federal service in 1993 with the U.S. Air Force and served in South Korea, Southeast Asia and Europe. He transitioned into law enforcement in 1999 and was later recalled to active duty following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Context: The court appearance is intended to address allegations that ICE failed to follow judicial directives while carrying out expanded immigration enforcement. The situation has drawn public attention because of its connection to recent, high-profile shootings.
Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Hugh Lawson.
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