The White House has withdrawn the nomination of Lance Schroyer to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) amid a Senate blockade led by Republican Senator Rand Paul. Paul stalled Schroyer's confirmation hearings to demand Department of Homeland Security records on the fatal ICE shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and close ally of DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, faced intense scrutiny over his lack of experience leading a major law enforcement agency. ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017.
Schroyer ICE nomination withdrawal
- ▪President Donald Trump originally announced the nomination of Lance Schroyer to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in June 2026
- ▪The White House did not provide an official reason for withdrawing Lance Schroyer's nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- ▪The White House withdrew the nomination of former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on September 17, 2026
Rand Paul confirmation blockade
- ▪Senator Rand Paul conditioned the advancement of Lance Schroyer's nomination on the Department of Homeland Security providing records regarding the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, in Minneapolis
- ▪Senator Rand Paul's office stated that the senator did not have personal objections to Lance Schroyer himself becoming the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- ▪Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul stalled Lance Schroyer's confirmation process for ICE director, whose nomination was announced in June 2026, by declining to schedule hearings for several months
Schroyer limited law enforcement experience
- ▪Lance Schroyer has never previously led a law enforcement agency of any kind prior to his nomination to head U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- ▪Two U.S. officials stated that Lance Schroyer was a surprise choice to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement because he had no prior experience working at the agency
- ▪Lance Schroyer served for 29 years as an Oklahoma state trooper and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps
Mullin personal relationship with Schroyer
- ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin appointed his personal friend Lance Schroyer as a senior adviser at the Department of Homeland Security
- ▪Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin selected Lance Schroyer without consulting top White House immigration advisers Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, according to sources familiar with the White House's search for a nominee to lead ICE in June 2026
- ▪Lance Schroyer previously served on the personal security detail of Markwayne Mullin when Mullin was a U.S. senator representing Oklahoma
ICE civilian deaths investigation
- ▪The fatal Minneapolis shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti prompted the ousting of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on March 5, 2026
- ▪U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January 2026, sparking national protests
ICE prolonged leadership vacancy
- ▪David Venturella, a former private prison executive, has served as the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since June 1, 2026
- ▪U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017, relying instead on a series of acting chiefs
- ▪Former acting director Todd Lyons resigned from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May 2026 following internal policy disputes and intense pressure over deportation quotas
Debatable claims
- ▪Lance Schroyer was qualified to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- ▪Senator Rand Paul was justified in stalling Lance Schroyer's confirmation
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