Acting ICE Director
Acting ICE Director
The Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a temporary leadership role assigned when the office of ICE Director is vacant, or when the Director is unavailable. Individuals serving in an acting capacity exercise the full operational authority of the Director during their tenure.
Acting Directors are typically senior ICE executives or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials appointed under federal succession rules or internal DHS designation.
Role and Authority
The Acting ICE Director oversees all ICE components, including Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Responsibilities include operational command, policy implementation, coordination with DHS leadership, and public representation of the agency.
While serving in an acting capacity, the official holds the same functional authority as a confirmed Director but does not undergo Senate confirmation for the role.
List of Acting ICE Directors
Acting Directors
Acting Directors
| Name | Term | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah R. Saldaña | December 23, 2014 – January 20, 2017 | Served as Acting ICE Director during presidential transition | [1] |
| Patrick Lechleitner | July 2023 – February 2024 | Senior ICE official appointed under DHS succession authority | [2] |
| Caleb Vitello | January 2025 – March 2025 | Assistant Director appointed Acting ICE Director | [3] |
| Todd Lyons | March 2025 – Present | Acting ICE Director as of latest reporting | [4] |
Appointment Process
Acting Directors are appointed under federal vacancy statutes and DHS internal succession protocols. In some cases, individuals may serve multiple non-consecutive acting terms depending on administrative changes.
Related Pages
Notes
This page documents the office of Acting ICE Director as an institutional role. Biographical details, incidents, and verification status are maintained on individual agent pages.