Trump withdraws Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, as his nominee to lead ICE
President Trump has withdrawn Lance Schroyer's nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leaving the agency without a Senate-confirmed leader. Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper with little immigration experience, faced scrutiny, and Senator Rand Paul had refused to hold a hearing until information on civilian deaths during ICE operations was provided. This setback comes amidst ongoing criticism of ICE's enforcement operations and a surge in arrests under the second Trump administration.
Why it matters
This withdrawal signifies continued political challenges for the Trump administration in staffing key agencies and highlights ongoing controversies surrounding immigration enforcement and accountability within ICE, impacting the direction of U.S. immigration policy.
The White House said Thursday (September 18, 2026) that it was withdrawing its nomination of Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ensuring that an agency at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda will remain without a Senate-confirmed leader for at least a while longer.
Schroyer, who has little experience in immigration, is close to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma.
The White House offered no comment in a brief statement.
The latest setback comes as the agency remains under withering scrutiny over its handling of enforcement operations. Critics have questioned how ICE has recruited and trained officers as it raced to hire thousands to carry out President Trump’s promise of mass deportations. Officers have shot and killed multiple people, including two American citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
White House withdraws nomination of Lance Schroyer to lead ICE
White House withdraws Trump's ICE nominee amid Republican opposition
White House withdraws Trump’s nominee to lead ICE
Trump withdraws Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, as his nominee to lead ICE
White House withdraws nomination of ex-state trooper Lance Schroyer to head ICE
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