Todd Lyons, who recently served as the acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has joined a defense contractor to focus on U.S. homeland defense strategy, interagency operations, and international security. Lyons’ role with Navigators Security and Defense, a subsidiary of Navigators Global, as senior vice president for U.S. homeland security and international affairs, highlights his transition from government service to the private sector.
Navigators Security and Defense confirmed Lyons’ new position, stating the company does not engage in lobbying activities. Due to federal laws, Lyons cannot communicate with the Department of Homeland Security for a year. Lyons declined to comment on his new role when contacted by NPR.
Navigators Global, the parent company, is known for representing major clients like General Motors, the New York Jets, and GEO Group, a private prison contractor. They have also represented NPR and the NPR Network to Congress since 2011.
Leadership at ICE During Turbulent Times
Lyons was at the helm of ICE from March 2025 to May 2026. During this period, ICE faced significant challenges, including enforcing some of the Trump administration’s most aggressive immigration measures. Operations during his tenure included highly publicized enforcement actions in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis. Lyons navigated a demanding 3,000-person daily arrest quota set by the White House, though ICE never achieved this target despite aggressive tactics.
After stepping down, Lyons was succeeded by David Venturella, another veteran of ICE. Venturella has connections with GEO Group, having worked there in multiple senior roles, and most recently as a paid consultant.
GEO Group’s Financial Growth
The GEO Group, known for running immigration detention centers such as Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, N.J., experienced substantial financial growth. In 2025, the company reported $254 million in income, a notable increase of 700% from the previous year. Chairman George Zoley described 2025 as the most successful period for new business in GEO Group’s history.
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