President Donald Trump announced Saturday the nomination of Lance Schroyer, a retired Oklahoma State Trooper, to serve as the next Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 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."
In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted Schroyer's 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma, stating that Schroyer "spearheaded 287g Law Enforcement partnerships with ICE." He also emphasized Schroyer's direct experience in "getting Illegal Aliens OFF our streets."
The agency has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017, a period marked by significant partisan disagreements over immigration enforcement policies. Trump urged the Senate, which is in recess until the week of July 4th, to confirm Schroyer's nomination promptly.
Trump also drew a parallel between Schroyer and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, noting that both "love the men and women of ICE." Mullin was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security following the departure of predecessor Kristi Noem. Former acting ICE director Todd Lyons resigned in April, following January incidents involving anti-ICE demonstrations and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
While Schroyer's LinkedIn profile shows no public activity, news reports from 2015 and 2016 indicate his involvement in responding to significant highway car accidents during his tenure with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. President Trump's announcement positions Schroyer as a candidate with extensive on-the-ground law enforcement experience to lead the immigration enforcement agency.