Published: June 28, 2026 | TrenBuzz.com
Key Points – Who Is Trump’s New ICE Chief
- Trump nominated Lance Schroyer as new ICE director on June 27, 2026
- Schroyer is a former Oklahoma state trooper and US Marine with 29 years of law enforcement experience
- He currently serves as senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin
- ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017 under the Obama administration
- His nomination comes after 20 ICE detainee deaths recorded so far in 2026
- Acting director David Venturella will hold the post until Schroyer is confirmed by the Senate
America just got a new face for its most controversial federal agency, and he comes from the heartland.
President Trump on Saturday nominated Lance Schroyer to be the next director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announcing on Truth Social that Schroyer has over 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma, where he served as a state trooper.
Trump’s new ICE chief is not a familiar Washington name. Schroyer’s selection to helm the immigration enforcement agency came as a surprise to ICE officials, as he would be new to leading a federal workforce if confirmed.
What You Need to Know About Trump’s New ICE Chief Lance Schroyer
A former Marine, Schroyer previously served as a major in the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Services Unit, where he directed specialized units tasked with large-scale operations. He knows boots-on-the-ground law enforcement inside and out.
Schroyer currently serves as senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, overseeing coordination between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement agencies. Mullin himself has been pushing hard for Schroyer to get the top job.
The timing of this nomination carries serious weight. ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since Sarah Saldana, an Obama appointee whose term ended in 2017, meaning the agency has been led by acting directors for nearly a decade.
The nomination follows a turbulent stretch for ICE, which saw acting director Todd Lyons step down in the spring after facing scrutiny over aggressive arrests and the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal agents.
The stakes could not be higher. If confirmed, Schroyer would oversee a workforce of 22,000 people and a multibillion-dollar budget, while continuing Trump’s ramped-up deportation campaign.
Trump called on the Senate to confirm Schroyer immediately, writing: “The Senate must CONFIRM Lance, IMMEDIATELY. Do not delay.”
America’s immigration battle just entered a new chapter. The question now is whether the Senate moves fast enough to give Trump’s new ICE chief the keys before the next crisis hits.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. TrenBuzz.com does not endorse any political party, government policy, or candidate. All information is based on publicly available reporting as of June 28, 2026. Readers are encouraged to verify details through official and credible news sources.