Chicago ? Lou Dobbs, whose anti-immigration stance roiled controversy, has exiled himself from CNN.

The longtime CNN anchor announced on his TV show Wednesday that he’s leaving the cable network he helped launch in 1980 and, save for a two-year stint with the Web site Space.com, has worked at ever since.

Wednesday’s edition of “Lou Dobbs Tonight” was Dobbs’ last at CNN. Although his contract was to run for a little more than two additional years, he told viewers CNN agreed to let him out of his contract.

Dobbs left open the possibility he might not be moving to another TV outlet but vowed to remain engaged in the issues he has championed over the years as he evolved from a traditionally neutral newscaster at CNN into an outspoken commentator who was often at odds with his bosses.