Trump Nominates Lance Schroyer to Lead ICE

Donald Trump nominated Lance Schroyer to serve as the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 27, 2026. Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, U.S. Marine, and current senior adviser to the Secretary of Homeland Security, is tasked with overseeing a mandate for mass deportations targeting criminal illegal aliens. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first permanent director of the agency since early 2017.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin strongly endorsed the pick, citing Schroyer's 29-year law enforcement career and experience with the 287(g) program, which allows local police to partner with federal agents. The nomination follows the May resignation of Director Todd Lyons, with David Venturella currently serving as acting head. Trump urged the Senate to confirm the appointment immediately, asserting that Schroyer would increase detention and removal rates to unprecedented levels.

The selection process reportedly involved internal White House friction. Secretary Mullin's initial proposal of Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado was rejected, and some officials questioned Schroyer's lack of direct immigration enforcement experience. However, the appointment received support from Stephen Miller, the administration's chief immigration policy architect. This leadership transition occurs as ICE expands its workforce by 12,000 officers following a $75 billion funding increase, amid increasing public scrutiny over aggressive immigration tactics.