President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will nominate Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and Marine, as director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The nomination aims to fill a leadership position at the federal agency, which has operated without a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017.
>>> Severe Thunderstorm Halts Amsterdam Hip-Hop Concert Early
Schroyer currently serves as a senior adviser to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, coordinating local, regional, and federal law enforcement immigration efforts.
Trump highlighted Schroyer's law enforcement background and track record in a social media statement following the announcement.
"Lance has firsthand experience getting Illegal Aliens OFF our streets and, just like ME and our Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, he LOVES the men and women of ICE," Trump posted.
The president further praised Schroyer's decades of service and noted his political support within Oklahoma, a state Trump won in all 77 counties in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Trump stated that the new leadership would intensify current border and immigration enforcement strategies, describing Schroyer as a patriot with real operational experience and decades of experience locking up the worst criminals.
>>> Hurricanes Land Negotiating Rights to John Carlson in Trade with Ducks
The administration emphasized that the appointment would accelerate the removal of undocumented individuals facing criminal charges, including murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers.
Secretary Mullin endorsed the selection, noting Schroyer's experience with the 287(g) program, which delegates federal immigration enforcement authority to local officers.
Mullin said Schroyer's field experience qualifies him to lead the agency's primary mission, adding that he is confident Schroyer's strong leadership will empower ICE officers to deport criminal illegal aliens and secure the homeland.
The secretary pointed out that Schroyer transitioned to his current advisory role directly from active regional enforcement operations, where he ran large-scale operations alongside state and federal partners under the 287(g) program.
Mullin urged legislators to end the decade-long vacancy of a Senate-confirmed leader at the agency, noting it has been 11 years since DHS had a Senate-confirmed ICE director.
>>> Orlando Magic Waive Jonathan Isaac After Nine Seasons
Schroyer's nomination follows the resignation of former acting director Todd Lyons this spring, with long-time official David Venturella currently managing the agency's duties.
