Trump says he will nominate former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer as ICE director

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that his new pick for Immigration Enforcement is a former US Marine and « a PATRIOT with real operational experience. » He called Schroyer « a proven leader with YEARS of experience locking in the worst of the worst. »

Schroyer is from the same home state as new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a former congressman. Earlier this month, Mullin brought Schroyer on stage at a National Sheriffs’ Association event, calling him « a good friend of mine » and noting that DHS had recently hired him.

On Saturday, Mullin was quick to praise Schroyer in a statement that highlighted the former soldier’s 29-year career and his work with federal and state partners in the U.S. Immigration Enforcement Program.

« President Trump made a great choice, and I am confident that Lance’s strong leadership and first-hand experience will empower the men and women of ICE to deport criminal illegal aliens, secure their homeland and protect the American people, » Mullin said.

If confirmed, Schroyer will lead ICE at a time when public sentiment has worsened over Trump’s immigration crackdown, which sent federal immigration officials into American cities to round up immigrants. These raids heightened tensions and led to clashes between protesters and law enforcement, leading to fatal projectiles of two American citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Trump returned to the White House with a promise of mass deportations, and ICE has been a key implementer of that vision. The agency is growing massively from a one-time $75 billion increase last year, which has allowed it to hire 12,000 officers and increase arrest capacity.

Mullin, who started in his position in March, has promised to keep his department out of the headlines and announced softer tone in immigrationalthough he is expected to follow the president’s priorities on mass deportations.

Claire Trickler-McNulty, a former senior ICE official, said previously confirmed ICE directors have often been attorneys, although some state and local law enforcement officials have also been appointed. He said his background at Oklahoma suggests Mullin likely had an influence on the selection.

« I think with the attention from ICE, he wants to feel like he has someone he can trust, » he said in an interview.

John Torres, another senior ICE official, said Schroyer faces an uphill climb toward Senate confirmation, but his experience operating at the state and local level, rather than the federal level, could help.

« He doesn’t have that baggage where they turn around and say, well, he worked for this administration or that, » Torres said.

Schroyer’s appointment succeeds former ICE Director Todd Lyons divorced at the end of May. David Venturella, a former head of a private prison operator, has had as the acting principal from the agency. According to the DHS official, who remains anonymous, Venturella is expected to remain acting. as leader until Schroyer is confirmed in the Senate.

ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since the Obama administration, due to polarization between the agency and immigration politics.