President Donald Trump announced on Saturday his intention to nominate Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and U.S. Marine, as the next director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The nomination was made via Trump's Truth Social platform.
Nomination and Current Role
Schroyer currently serves as senior adviser to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, where he oversees coordination of immigration enforcement, according to a DHS statement. He has over 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma.
Statements from Officials
President Donald Trump described Schroyer as a "PATRIOT with real operational experience" and a "proven leader with DECADES of experience locking up the worst of the worst." Trump also stated that Schroyer has "firsthand experience getting Illegal Aliens OFF our streets" and "has what it takes to DETAIN AND DEPORT Illegal Alien Criminals, including murders, rapists, and drug traffickers at a rate never seen before." Trump claimed his administration has "the HIGHEST Daily Arrest Rate by ICE and CBP than ANY other President, by far."
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a fellow Oklahoman, praised the nomination, stating: "With over 29 years of law enforcement experience, Lance will play a vital role in helping deliver on the President's mandate from the American people to target, arrest, and deport illegal aliens." Mullin noted that Schroyer has experience running large-scale operations under the 287(g) program, which delegates federal immigration enforcement authority to local officers. Both Trump and Mullin urged the Senate to confirm Schroyer quickly.
Agency Context
ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since the Obama administration. The agency is currently led by acting director David Venturella, a former executive at a private prison operator, who assumed the role after Todd Lyons resigned at the end of May. The White House did not clarify whether Schroyer would immediately assume an acting role.
Background and Recent Events
Schroyer's nomination follows months of scrutiny over ICE's immigration enforcement tactics. In January, the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota by ICE agents sparked nationwide protests. Rights groups have criticized the government's actions as violating civil liberties and creating an unsafe environment for ethnic minorities.
The Department of Homeland Security's watchdog announced two reviews related to ICE: one on increased detainee deaths and one on use-of-force standards. According to reports, 20 deaths have occurred in ICE detention this year.
The nomination also follows two Supreme Court rulings this week that supported Trump's immigration enforcement policies.
Operational Background
If confirmed, Schroyer would become the first Senate-confirmed ICE director since the Obama administration. Sources indicated that Schroyer lacks specific ICE experience, which may surprise ICE personnel. Secretary Mullin, who assumed his role in March, has indicated a softer tone on immigration while aligning with the president's mass deportation priorities. Claire Trickler-McNulty, a former senior ICE official, suggested Mullin may have influenced the pick, noting that Schroyer's background in state and local law enforcement is atypical for the role, which has often been held by attorneys.