Trump Doubles Down on Anti-Immigrant Agenda, Nominates Hardliner Schroyer to Lead ICE
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President Donald Trump has nominated former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer—whose background is steeped in aggressive law enforcement—to direct Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency notorious for abuses and lacking Senate-confirmed leadership since 2017.
President Donald Trump has once again signaled his commitment to harsh anti-immigrant policies by nominating Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and U.S. Marine, as director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Schroyer, with 29 years entrenched in punitive law enforcement, is being touted for his operational experience in immigration crackdowns, notably through the controversial 287(g) program that deputizes local police to enforce federal immigration law—a practice widely criticized for fueling racial profiling and community fear.
Schroyer’s nomination now heads to the Senate, where his glaring lack of federal agency leadership experience is expected to draw scrutiny. If confirmed, he would replace acting director David Venturella, who has filled the role since May after the departure of another interim appointee, Todd Lyons.
ICE, under Trump’s administration, has come under fire for its brutal enforcement tactics, including deadly incidents in Minnesota and widespread allegations of unlawful detentions. The agency’s record of deaths in custody has sparked international outrage and calls from United Nations officials for accountability and reform.
Congressional Democrats have attempted to rein in ICE’s abuses by tying funding to basic reforms, such as requiring clearer agent identification, limiting excessive force, and implementing oversight. Nevertheless, funding for ICE and Customs and Border Protection was pushed through in June after a bitterly partisan vote, with Republicans resisting meaningful change.
"Lance is coming straight from the operational field where he ran large-scale operations and worked alongside state and federal partners to remove illegal aliens from Oklahoma under the 287(g) program," Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin boasted on social media, using dehumanizing language.
"It has been 11 years since the Department of Homeland Security has had a Senate-confirmed ICE director. The Senate must quickly confirm Lance Schroyer," Mullin insisted, ignoring the agency’s ongoing abuses.
"The Senate must confirm Lance, immediately — do not delay. Together, we will make America safe again," Trump declared on his Truth Social platform, doubling down on fear-mongering rhetoric.
