Trump nominates former Oklahoma trooper Lance Schroyer to lead ICE

President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and U.S. Marine, to serve as director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Schroyer, who has 29 years of law-enforcement experience, is being presented as a candidate with operational expertise in immigration enforcement, including work under the 287(g) program that allows state and local officers to assist federal immigration actions.

The nomination will be reviewed by the Senate, where Schroyer’s lack of prior federal agency leadership is expected to be examined. If confirmed, he would replace acting director David Venturella, who has served in an interim capacity since May following the departure of former acting director Todd Lyons.

ICE has faced heightened scrutiny over its enforcement tactics, including incidents in Minnesota that resulted in a protester’s death and allegations of unlawful detentions. The agency has also been criticized for the number of deaths in its custody, prompting calls from United Nations officials for accountability.

Congressional Democrats have previously tied ICE funding to reforms such as clearer agent identification, limits on excessive force, and oversight measures. Funding for ICE and Customs and Border Protection was approved in early June after a partisan vote.

"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 wrote on social media.

"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 added.

"The Senate must confirm Lance, immediately — do not delay. Together, we will make America safe again," President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.