Meet Lance Schroyer, Oklahoma lawyer and Trump’s nominee for ICE director – ‘a patriot with real operational experience’ | Today’s news

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will nominate Lance Schroyer to be the permanent director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), making him the first nominee for the role during Trump’s second term.

In a social media post, Trump described Schroyer as a former U.S. Marine and Oklahoma state trooper.

“He is a PATRIOT with real operational experience and a proven leader with DECADES of experience locking down the worst of the worst,” Trump said.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the selection, saying Schroyer brings extensive front-line experience, having led large-scale operational missions.

Earlier this month, Mullin told attendees at the National Sheriffs’ Association annual conference that he recruited Schroyer to the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement, Bloomberg reports.

Mullin also noted that Schroyer, whom he called a “good friend,” became part of DHS shortly after he retired as a major commanding the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s tactical unit.

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ICE has been without a Senate-confirmed director since 2017, when Trump selected Tom Homan, who now serves as his border czar, to lead the agency. However, the Senate never voted on Homan’s nomination and in 2018 asked to withdraw it.

Schroyer is the first person Trump has nominated to lead ICE permanently during his second term. Todd Lyons served as acting director for most of the current administration before stepping down on May 31. David Venturella, a former executive in the private prison industry, currently leads the agency as CEO.

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Trump urged the Senate to “immediately” confirm Schroyer’s nomination, although lawmakers are currently in recess and not scheduled to return until July 13.

Who is Lance Schroyer?

Lance Schroyer is a veteran Oklahoma police officer with a long career in public safety. He spent many years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), rising through the ranks from Trooper to Lieutenant, Captain and finally Major, according to HT.

Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Schroyer served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military service, he reportedly devoted his career to law enforcement, overseeing public safety operations and initiatives throughout Oklahoma.

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In addition to his duties with the Highway Patrol, Schroyer has contributed to broader public safety efforts through advisory roles. He has served on the Oklahoma Drug Dog Advisory Council and participated in discussions focused on law enforcement strategies and security planning.

Past ICE events

The immigration agency has played a central role in implementing the mass deportation and detention policies that have been a key part of Trump’s agenda. She also faced intense criticism after her aggressive response to immigration-related protests in Minnesota in January.

During his tenure, Todd Lyons oversaw a significant increase in ICE personnel and consistently defended the agency’s enforcement tactics, including the use of force during raids across the country. He also supported agents wearing face coverings, arguing that concealing their identities was necessary for their protection.

The deaths of two Americans during separate encounters with federal agents sparked widespread protests across the country, prompting the Trump administration to halt stepped-up enforcement operations in February. Meanwhile, US Border Patrol chief Michael Banks resigned from his position in May.

On the same day Lyons announced his departure from ICE, two agency officials were charged with aggravated assault in Minnesota. Prosecutors claimed they pointed a firearm at passing motorists during an immigration operation in the state.

In a separate incident, an ICE agent fatally shot Renée Good as she tried to drive away. Less than a week later, Customs and Border Protection officials shot and killed Alex Pretti, who was participating in a peaceful protest.