Full Breakdown
White House Withdraws Lance Schroyer’s Nomination to Lead ICE
By Drooid · · How we work
ICE Nomination Withdrawal
On September 17, 2026 the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s nomination of former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to serve as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been withdrawn. The brief statement posted on the administration’s website gave no explanation for the decision.
Background and Context
ICE has operated without a Senate-confirmed director since the departure of Sarah Saldaña in January 2017, with a succession of acting leaders. The agency’s enforcement agenda under the Trump administration has drawn intense scrutiny from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and the public.
Key Figures
- Lance Schroyer — former Oklahoma Highway Patrol major and senior adviser to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin; has never worked for ICE.
- Markwayne Mullin — Secretary of Homeland Security, former U.S. senator from Oklahoma.
- Rand Paul — Republican senator from Kentucky, chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, who delayed a confirmation hearing pending information on civilian deaths.
- David Venturella — former private-prison executive serving as acting ICE director since June 1, 2026.
- Donald Trump — President who nominated Schroyer in June 2026 and promoted him on social media.
Timeline
- May 9, 2026 – Schroyer retires from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as a major.
- June 2026 – President Trump announces Schroyer’s nomination to lead ICE.
- July 27, 2026 – Trump posts on Truth Social praising Schroyer’s “operational experience.”
- June 1, 2026 – David Venturella assumes the role of acting ICE director.
- September 17, 2026 – White House withdraws the nomination; Rand Paul confirms the hearing never occurred.
Data and Statistics
- ICE arrested nearly 51,000 undocumented migrants in August 2026, the highest monthly total of the Trump administration, according to Department of Homeland Security figures.
Official Statements & Responses
The White House’s notice simply stated that the nomination had been withdrawn, offering no rationale. ICE did not immediately comment, indicating a statement would be forthcoming.
President Trump, in a June 2026 Truth Social post, framed Schroyer as a “PATRIOT with real operational experience” and urged the Senate to confirm him “IMMEDIATELY.”
Criticism & Opposition
Lawmakers and DHS officials have questioned Schroyer’s lack of experience within the federal immigration system. Senate Homeland Security Committee chair Rand Paul has withheld a confirmation hearing until the Department of Homeland Security provides details on investigations into two fatal ICE-involved shootings of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier in the year. Critics argue that appointing a career state-trooper without ICE background could exacerbate concerns about the agency’s recruitment, training, and use of force.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t have a concern with who the nominee was. I had asked them to give me an update on the internal investigation into civilian deaths,” — Rand Paul, Republican senator
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some outlets refer to the nominee as “Richard Schroyer,” while others use “Lance Schroyer.” All sources identify the same individual—a former Oklahoma state trooper and senior DHS adviser—indicating a naming inconsistency but no substantive disagreement about the person’s identity.
What’s Next
The White House has not announced a replacement nominee. Acting director David Venturella is expected to continue leading ICE while the administration determines its next step for the permanent director position.