A tense exchange unfolded Tuesday during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing when Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) pressed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons to resign over the agency’s deportation operations.
The confrontation marked the latest clash between Swalwell and ICE leadership. The California Democrat previously co-authored the “ICE OUT Act” with Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.), legislation that would strip qualified immunity protections from federal immigration agents. The proposal has drawn strong opposition from Republicans, who argue it would expose agents to personal liability while carrying out federal law enforcement duties.
During his questioning, Swalwell sharply criticized ICE’s enforcement actions and suggested Lyons reconsider his role.
Swalwell, who is currently running for governor of California, framed the issue as a moral decision for the ICE director.
“Will you stand with the kids who you’re supposed to protect, or will you side with the killers bringing terror to our streets? Mr. Lyons, will you resign from ICE?” Swalwell asked as a poster of a child appeared behind him.
Lyons firmly rejected the demand. “No, sir, I won’t,” he replied.
The ICE director also pushed back on Swalwell’s characterization of a case involving Adrian A.C. Arias, an Ecuadorian national who was targeted by ICE. Democrats and some media outlets had suggested that DHS had targeted Arias’ young child during the operation.
“That child that you’re showing right there, the men and women of vice took care of him when his father abandoned him and ran from law enforcement,” Lyons said.
According to DHS officials, Arias fled authorities and left his 5-year-old child behind during the encounter. The agency has maintained that ICE did not target the child.
“For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias,” a DHS official said of the situation. “ICE did not target a child.”
The exchange also turned to remarks Lyons previously made at a Border Security Expo, where he discussed improving the efficiency of immigration enforcement operations. Swalwell referenced those comments, which included a comparison to Amazon Prime delivery services.
“Mr. Lyons, how many times has Amazon Prime shot a mom three times in the face?” Swalwell asked — appearing to reference the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
“None,” Lyons responded.
Lyons responded that his remarks at the expo were taken out of context and were focused on technological modernization within DHS, not a comparison between deportations and consumer deliveries.
“I did say at the end of it, but we deal with human beings, so we can’t be like them. That’s the key part that you’re leaving out,” Lyons said.
Republicans on the committee have consistently defended ICE’s mission, arguing that the agency is tasked with enforcing federal immigration law and protecting public safety. They have also accused some Democrats of mischaracterizing enforcement operations and undermining morale among federal agents.
The hearing comes amid a broader national debate over immigration policy, border enforcement, and the role of ICE under the current administration. Border security remains a central issue heading into the 2026 election cycle.
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Perhaps swallow needs to be reminded of the case in Texas where a contract package delivery kidnapped and murdered a young girl. Nah, there aren’t any political points to be scored from that incident. Jocelyn Nungary was unavailable for comment.
Swalwell, how is your Chinese spy ‘amour’ doing?
Just asking.