Trump nominates Lance Schroyer as ICE director

Trump nominates Lance Schroyer as ICE director

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has nominated Lance Schroyer to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The nomination places a veteran of Oklahoma state law enforcement at the head of the agency central to the administration's mass deportation campaign.

Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and U.S. Marine, currently serves as a senior adviser to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin. According to Trump, Schroyer possesses more than 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma.

The appointment follows a period of leadership turnover at the agency. Todd Lyons, who took over in March 2025 during the escalation of immigration enforcement, left the post last month. David Venturella, a former private prison executive, has served as acting director since early June and will remain in the role until Schroyer is confirmed.

The agency has been without a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017. Both Trump and Mullin have called for the Senate to confirm the nomination immediately.

Operational background and 287(g) experience

Schroyer's career was largely spent with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, where he rose to the rank of major. In that capacity, he oversaw specialized tactical units, disaster response, and emergency services operations. While he lacks specific experience within the federal ICE hierarchy, he has worked on the intersection of state and federal enforcement.

Secretary Mullin highlighted Schroyer's work with the 287(g) program, which allows state and local agencies to partner with federal authorities to identify and process illegal immigrants arrested on criminal charges. Mullin stated that Schroyer ran large scale operations to remove illegal aliens from Oklahoma under that program.

Trump emphasized Schroyer's ability to DETAIN AND DEPORT Illegal Alien Criminals, specifically naming drug traffickers, rapists, and murderers. Sen. James Lankford also congratulated the nominee, stating that Oklahomans have seen Schroyer's commitment to public safety firsthand.

Enforcement context and controversies

The nomination arrives as the administration secures legal victories for its immigration agenda. On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled to remove legal protections for thousands of Syrian and Haitian immigrants and sided with the administration's bid to ease the regulation of asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border.

ICE is currently overseeing a massive expansion following a $75 billion funding surge intended to increase federal detention capacity and add 12,000 officers. However, this crackdown has led to significant friction. In January, the fatal shooting of two U.S. Citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by agents in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests.

The agency is also facing scrutiny over detainee welfare. A Reuters analysis of ICE records indicates at least 50 people have died in immigration detention since the launch of the mass deportation campaign. Preliminary data through early June suggests the death rate has more than doubled since Trump returned to office, reaching approximately one death for every 1,630 people.

In response to these trends, the DHS watchdog announced Thursday the launch of two new reviews. These probes will investigate the increase in detainee deaths and determine if ICE facilities are adhering to proper use-of-force standards.

While Republicans argue the agency is essential for national security and removing convicted criminals, rights groups contend these actions violate civil liberties. The nomination now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to examine Schroyer's state-level background and his experience with inter-agency coordination.