ICE Head Defends Enforcement After Shootings

Todd Lyons, the acting head of United States — United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with Rodney Scott of United States — United States Customs and Border Protection and Joseph Edlow of United States — United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, testified before the United States — United States House Committee on Homeland Security on February 10, 2026. The hearing was called after federal officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Killing of Alex Pretti and Killing of Renée Good, in Minneapolis, sparking national outrage. Lyons defended his agency's tactics and President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda, while facing fierce questioning from Democrats who criticized the agencies' policies and demanded accountability. Republicans largely supported the agencies, blaming protesters and inflammatory rhetoric for escalating tensions. A key point of contention was the use of masks by officers, with Lyons refusing to commit to making them remove them. The United States — United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces a potential funding lapse as Democrats demand restraints on immigration officers. United States — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also expressed his expectation for the federal immigration crackdown in United States — Minnesota to end soon, following discussions with Trump administration officials including border czar Tom Homan, who took over the Minneapolis operation after the shootings.