ICE Director
Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
The Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the senior official responsible for the agency’s overall operations, policy implementation, and strategic direction. ICE operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Director oversees all ICE components, including Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and exercises authority over national enforcement priorities, resource allocation, and senior leadership appointments.
| Name | Role | Since | Status | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd M. Lyons | Acting Director | March 9, 2025 | Active | [1] |
Former Directors
| Name | Term | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah R. Saldaña | December 23, 2014 – January 20, 2017 | Last Senate-confirmed ICE Director | [2] |
Acting Directors
| Name | Acting term | Concurrent role | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Lechleitner | July 4, 2023 – January 20, 2025 | Acting Director | [3] |
| Caleb Vitello | January 20, 2025 – February 21, 2025 | Acting Director | [4] |
| Todd M. Lyons | March 9, 2025 – Present | Acting Director | [5] |
Authority and oversight
The ICE Director reports to the Secretary of Homeland Security and is subject to congressional oversight. Decisions made at this level influence enforcement practices nationwide and may have direct operational consequences across ICE field offices.
References
- ↑ ICE leadership update confirming Todd M. Lyons as Acting Director, March 2025.
- ↑ Public DHS records and congressional reporting identifying Sarah R. Saldaña as ICE Director.
- ↑ ICE and DHS announcements identifying Patrick Lechleitner as Acting ICE Director.
- ↑ DHS leadership transition notices listing Caleb Vitello as Acting ICE Director.
- ↑ ICE leadership update confirming Todd M. Lyons assumed Acting Director role in March 2025.