Trump Nominates New ICE Director: What It Means for You
President Trump has picked a new leader for ICE — the agency at the center of his immigration crackdown. Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma State Trooper and Marine with nearly 30 years in law enforcement, is now nominated to run the agency that arrests and deports people across the country. If confirmed, he would be the first Senate-confirmed ICE director in over a decade — and that matters for millions of immigrants living in the US.
Who Is Lance Schroyer?
President Trump announced on Saturday that he will nominate Lance Schroyer to lead US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — the federal agency that carries out immigration arrests and deportations. Schroyer replaces David Venturella, who had been serving as acting director. Trump described Schroyer as a "patriot" with "over 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma," including time as a state trooper and a US Marine.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Schroyer "ran large-scale operations" in Oklahoma under the 287(g) program. That program allows ICE to partner with state and local police, giving local officers the authority to enforce federal immigration law. In plain terms: local police in participating areas can act like ICE agents. Mullin said Schroyer's job will be to "target, arrest, and deport illegal aliens" — language that signals the agency plans to keep up its aggressive enforcement pace.
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Both Trump and Mullin called on the Senate to confirm Schroyer quickly. Mullin noted it has been 11 years since the Senate last confirmed an ICE director. The agency has operated without a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017. ICE has been at the center of Trump's immigration crackdown, which has included mass detentions and deportation attempts. The agency drew national attention after ICE agents fatally shot two US citizens — Alex Pretti and Renee Good — in Minnesota in January, sparking protests across the country. Rights groups say the government's actions violate civil liberties and create fear among ethnic minority communities.
What to Do If You Are Worried About ICE
- Know your rights now, before anything happens. Everyone in the US — regardless of immigration status — has the right to remain silent and the right to refuse entry to their home without a warrant signed by a judge. Do not wait for a crisis to learn this.
- If ICE comes to your door, do not open it. Ask them to slide any documents under the door. Check whether the document is a judicial warrant (signed by a judge) or an administrative warrant (signed by an ICE officer). Only a judicial warrant requires you to open the door.
- If you are in removal proceedings (meaning immigration court is deciding whether to deport you), do not miss your immigration court hearing. Missing a hearing can result in an automatic deportation order against you.
- Talk to an immigration lawyer about your specific situation — especially if you have a pending green card application, work permit (EAD), DACA renewal, or TPS status. A change in ICE leadership can affect how enforcement priorities are applied in your area.
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With a new ICE director focused on large-scale operations and 287(g) partnerships, people with any unresolved immigration issues — including pending green card applications, expired visas, or prior removal orders — should consult an attorney before enforcement reaches them, not after. If you are already in removal proceedings, file any available motions to reopen or appeals before deadlines pass, because a more aggressive ICE leadership can accelerate case timelines. This is the moment to get a legal review of your situation, not to wait and see.