Congresswoman Luz Rivas Statement on ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons’ Resignation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) released the following statement after Todd Lyons, Acting Director for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced his resignation:

"History will not be kind to Todd Lyons or this Administration's treatment of our most vulnerable.

"Under Lyons' leadership, ICE has operated with a complete disregard for Americans' constitutional rights and civil liberties. ICE has created community trauma through their actions that have separated families, detained over 3,800 children in inhumane conditions, and terrorized immigrant communities across the country - including the 47 people who have died in ICE custody. Because of ICE's actions, my constituents are terrified to go to work, show up for school, or even leave their house. This is a fear that no one should live with, and that ICE's and DHS' leadership must answer for.

"Lyons has repeatedly dodged Congressional oversight into ICE's actions and violated the law by blocking my colleagues and I from entering detention facilities to conduct our Congressional oversight duties. Lyons ignored my calls to answer for the ICE raids that have terrorized Los Angeles and to halt ICE agents from violating the Fourth Amendment rights.

"Todd Lyons may be leaving, but ICE will continue to be a threat to the safety of our most vulnerable unless serious actions are taken to rein it in. That is why I continue my call to abolish ICE."

Background:

Congresswoman Luz Rivas represents the San Fernando Valley in Congress, which has been one of the hardest-hit communities in the country by the ICE raids. To address the increased immigration enforcement operations and stand up for her constituents, Congresswoman Rivas sent 5 letters to ICE leadership calling for accountability and visited detention centers 4 times to conduct her Congressional oversight duties.

On June 7, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas, with three of her colleagues, was denied entry to inspect the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Downtown Los Angeles.

On June 9, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas sent a letter to Acting Director Lyons concerning ICE personnel violating federal law, obstructing Congressional oversight of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Downtown Los Angeles, and the inhumane treatment of detainees.

On June 17, 2025, Congresswoman Luz Rivas, with four of her House Democratic Caucus colleagues, conducted a Congressional Oversight visit of the Adelanto Detention Center.

On June 18, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas sent a letter to Acting Director Lyons concerning the inhumane treatment of detainees at the Adelanto Detention Center and the haphazard transfer of detainees to other detention centers.

On August 4, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas sent a letter to Acting Director Lyons demanding an in-person meeting with him and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol leadership regarding the traumatic immigration raids at sensitive locations and the use of masks and unmarked vehicles.

On August 26, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas was denied access to conduct a Congressional Oversight of the Adelanto Detention Center and demand answers for Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz's family. Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz was an 18-year-old student at Reseda High School who was detained by ICE while walking his dog. In the span of 24 hours, Guerrero-Cruz was transferred from the Adelanto Detention Center to Arizona, and then back to the Adelanto Detention Center without his family's knowledge.

On August 28, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas was again denied access to conduct Congressional Oversight of the Adelanto Detention Center. This prompted Congresswoman Rivas to introduce H.R. 5073, the Immigration Notification for Facility Oversight and Relocation Management Act of 2025, or the "INFORM Act of 2025",to bring transparency to ICE's detainee transfer process.

On August 29, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas sent a letter to Acting Director Lyons concerning her Congressional oversight visit of the Adelanto Detention Center and demanded accountability for the transfer and treatment of Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz.

On November 6, 2025, Congresswoman Luz Rivas visited the Adelanto Detention Center to observe Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz's master hearing. Guerrero-Cruz was released from ICE detention and reunited with his family in December.

On November 24, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas participated in the House Oversight and Government Reform: Immigration Shadow Hearing titled "Due Process for All: Exposing Trump's Mass Deportation Machine" in Downtown Los Angeles on the ICE's actions in Southern California.

On January 16, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas participated in a shadow field hearing with her House Democratic Caucus colleagues in Minnesota. This hearing was in response to the murder of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents.

On January 22, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas called for ICE to be abolished and called the agency "broken beyond repair."

On February 3, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas joined her House Democratic Caucus colleagues at a protest in front of ICE's headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Members called on then-Secretary Kristi Noem to be impeached and for ICE to be abolished.

On February 19, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas sent a letter to Acting Director Lyons concerning an anonymous whistleblower revealing ICE agents violating the Fourth Amendment and entering private homes without a judicial warrant.

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