WASHINGTON, Jan 28 - A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to appear in court on Friday to explain why ICE has not followed court orders while implementing the current presidential immigration enforcement measures. The enforcement campaign is described in the court order as having been associated with the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.
As acting head of ICE, Lyons is responsible for an agency that employs more than 27,400 people and operates with an annual budget of nearly $10 billion. The agency also benefits from more than $74 billion in funding provided by the legislative package referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," legislation that the president signed into law last year and that the article says supports the administration's immigration enforcement agenda among other items.
Lyons took on the role of acting ICE director in March 2025. Prior to that appointment, he served as the executive associate director of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations directorate. In that capacity, his biography states he led efforts to arrest and remove migrants who entered the United States unlawfully.
His tenure at the Enforcement and Removal Operations directorate includes positions as assistant director of field operations and deputy assistant director of western operations and the southwest border, among other roles. Lyons began his work within the directorate as an immigration enforcement agent based in Dallas.
Lyons' public biography notes he 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 attacks.
The court appearance mandated for Friday will require Lyons to address why ICE has not adhered to court-mandated directives as it carries out the administration's enforcement policies. The order raises questions about the agency's compliance with judicial oversight while it operates with substantial personnel and budgetary resources.