Heated Exchange During ICE Hearing

During a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons found himself in a tense confrontation with Rep. Eric Swalwell, who pressed him to resign.

Swalwell, holding a photo of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos—who was taken into ICE custody after his father fled from federal agents in Minnesota—challenged Lyons directly. “Will you stand with the children you are supposed to protect, or with the murderer who terrorizes our streets? Mr. Lyons, will you resign from ICE?” he asked.

Lyons, unfazed, responded, “No, sir, I won’t.” This exchange illustrated the deep divides on immigration policy.

As a Democratic candidate for governor of California, Swalwell pressed Lyons further on why he wouldn’t step down. “Because, sir, this kid you’re showing me here, when his father abandoned him and ran away from law enforcement, the men and women of ICE took care of him,” Lyons replied.

ICE officials explained that Liam was left in a car by his father during a federal arrest attempt in Columbia Heights and that efforts to reunite him with family members were unsuccessful, leading them to take him into custody. After a judge released both the father and child pending an asylum case, the government continued to fight for their deportation.

Swalwell cited this case along with others, including the murders of Alex Preti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, as part of his argument for Lyons to resign. Lyons maintained, “It’s my decision to remain in office at this time.”

The discussion shifted when Swalwell raised concerns over the remarks made by Trump administration officials, who labeled the murder victims as domestic terrorists. Lyons deflected, stating he wouldn’t comment on an active investigation and that elected officials like the president deserve a platform.

The exchange concluded abruptly when Swalwell’s time expired. He had also previously co-authored the ICE OUT Act, aimed at limiting the immunity of federal immigration officials.