Todd Lyons Joins Defense Contractor After Leading ICE

Former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement head Todd Lyons has taken on a new role as a senior vice president at Navigators Security and Defense. This appointment focuses on U.S. homeland defense strategy, interagency operations, and international security.

During Lyons’ leadership at ICE, he encountered demanding tasks, particularly under the Trump administration’s assertive immigration enforcement operations. High-profile crackdowns in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis marked his tenure. The administration imposed a challenging 3,000-person daily arrest quota on ICE agents, which ultimately, was not achieved due to various obstacles.

Lyons’ successor, David Venturella, previously worked for the GEO Group, a private prison operator. Under Venturella’s influence, the company saw significant financial growth, with earnings jumping to $254 million in 2025, a 700% increase from the prior year. The GEO Group’s close connections with the Trump administration played a crucial role in this success.

Navigators Security and Defense clarified they do not participate in lobbying, adhering to federal laws restricting interaction with the Department of Homeland Security for a year. As a subsidiary of Navigators Global, the firm is associated with various clients, including General Motors and the New York Jets. Navigators Global’s relationship with NPR dates back to 2011, marking its influence across multiple sectors.