Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has committed to following through on President Donald Trump’s pledge for what could be the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.
During a recent interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Trump addressed questions about immigration policy, specifically whether some of the recent raids might be considered excessive. His response was clear: “No, I don’t think they’ve gone far enough,” citing restrictions due to, as he put it, “liberal judges” appointed by Biden and Obama. He emphasized the need to remove individuals from the country, mentioning that many involved have criminal backgrounds.
Lyons expressed that ICE is collaborating with local and state authorities to identify and act on illegal immigration cases as effectively as possible.
He stated, “No one is off the table,” asserting that they would utilize all available resources and that the Department of Justice has been supportive. Lyons reiterated the goal of fulfilling the President’s commitment to a significant deportation campaign.
Moreover, he noted that many ICE agents have become targets due to hostile rhetoric against them, describing instances where officers had to manage protesters while making arrests. He remarked, “For the first time in history, ICE is allowed to carry out its law enforcement mission,” framing some of their tactics as necessary self-defense due to increasing opposition.
Lyons urged elected officials to reconsider their portrayal of ICE officers. “What I’m saying right now to elected officials who don’t like our immigration policies is to work with us. Soften your rhetoric, stop putting a target on the backs of ICE officers, and work on making our communities safer,” he remarked, emphasizing the need to address public safety issues, which is in line with the President’s promise.
