White House withdraws Lance Schroyer as ICE director nominee

The White House withdrew Lance Schroyer's nomination to lead ICE on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.

President Trump nominated Schroyer in June to be ICE director.

Schroyer is a former Oklahoma state trooper.

Schroyer is a former U.S. Marine.

Schroyer has more than 29 years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma.

Schroyer worked on ICE 287(g) partnerships that deputize local officers for immigration enforcement.

Schroyer previously served on Markwayne Mullin's Senate security detail.

Schroyer has been serving as a senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Paul accused Mullin of having justified a 2017 attack that left Paul with serious injuries.

Schroyer is a close friend or longtime associate of Mullin.

Schroyer had not previously worked at ICE or led a major law enforcement agency.

Mullin had praised Schroyer's nomination.

Officials and critics said Schroyer was a surprise pick and questioned whether he was qualified to lead ICE.

When announcing the pick, Trump called Schroyer a patriot with real operational experience.

ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017.

Todd Lyons left the acting ICE director job earlier this year.

David Venturella is serving as acting ICE director.

Venturella is a former private-prison executive.

Federal immigration officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

Mullin previously said Schroyer was one of a few candidates who could clear Senate confirmation.

Paul sought more information from DHS about investigations into the Minneapolis immigration shootings before moving the nomination.

Paul had not scheduled a Senate confirmation hearing on Schroyer.

Paul's office said the senator did not express opposition to Schroyer.

Lyons oversaw deployment of ICE agents into major cities.

The White House did not give a public reason for withdrawing the nomination.

Trump allies have criticized Mullin and border czar Tom Homan for not doing enough to deport immigrants.

The White House listed Schroyer with four other withdrawn nominations sent to the Senate.

The White House has not indicated when it will name another ICE director nominee.