A tense standoff unfolded in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing as Representative Eric Swalwell demanded the resignation of Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. Swalwell presented Lyons with a stark ultimatum: step down, or be seen as aligning with those he termed “killers.” The confrontation wasn’t a sudden eruption, but the latest in a series of clashes over ICE’s deportation policies.
Swalwell’s accusations were pointed and emotionally charged. He recounted instances of alleged brutality, claiming women had been forcibly dragged through streets and a six-year-old child battling cancer had been deported – a child who, Swalwell asserted, was a U.S. citizen. He framed Lyons’ continued leadership as a conscious choice, given his distinguished prior career in military and law enforcement.
The California lawmaker, currently campaigning for governor, painted a grim picture of individuals fleeing ICE agents, seeking refuge even in the fields where they work. He argued that the actions and statements of Department of Homeland Security officials should be enough to compel Lyons to seek alternative employment. The question was direct: would Lyons protect children, or side with those inflicting terror?
Lyons stood firm, delivering a resolute “No sir, I won’t.” He immediately challenged the narrative presented by Swalwell, specifically addressing the image displayed behind the representative – a photograph of a child. Lyons countered that ICE officers had actually provided care for the child after his father abandoned him and evaded law enforcement.
The case involved Adrian A.C. Arias, an Ecuadorian national targeted by ICE. Democrats and some media outlets had alleged that DHS specifically targeted the child, but Lyons explained that the child’s safety was prioritized, with an ICE officer remaining with him during his father’s apprehension. A DHS official confirmed that ICE did not intentionally target the child.
Swalwell then shifted his focus to Lyons’ comments at a Border Security Expo, where he had suggested streamlining immigration enforcement to match the efficiency of Amazon Prime delivery. In a provocative question, Swalwell asked how many times Amazon Prime had shot a mother in the face, referencing the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Lyons responded with a concise “None,” prompting Swalwell’s sarcastic retort. Lyons clarified that his Amazon analogy was intended to highlight the potential for technological improvements within DHS, specifically in areas like efficiency and artificial intelligence. He emphasized, however, that dealing with human beings necessitates a different approach.
The heated exchange concluded with Chairman Andrew Garbarino yielding the floor to Representative Michael Guest, who engaged Lyons in a more amicable discussion. The contrast underscored the deep partisan divide surrounding ICE’s operations and the intense scrutiny facing its leadership.
