White House Withdraws Lance Schroyer ICE Nomination After Senate Stalls
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the White House withdrew Lance Schroyer's nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after Senate consideration stalled.[1]
The administration offered only a brief statement and gave no further explanation for the move.[2] Schroyer is a former Oklahoma state trooper with little immigration experience and is close to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.[1] Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Rand Paul said he refused to hold a confirmation hearing until the Department of Homeland Security provided updates on probes into civilian deaths during ICE operations.[1] Paul said he was "still waiting." NPR
ICE has lacked a Senate-confirmed director since the Obama administration.[1] David Venturella, a former private-prison executive, is serving as acting director after Todd Lyons resigned.[1]
The agency arrested nearly 51,000 people in August 2026, the highest single-month total of President Trump's second administration, a figure that underscores the stakes for leadership at ICE.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the White House confirmed it withdrew Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead ICE but offered no explanation beyond a brief statement (Lance Schroyer).
- NPR describes Schroyer as a former Oklahoma state trooper with little immigration experience who is close to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin (former Oklahoma state trooper).
- Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Rand Paul reiterated he had refused to hold a confirmation hearing until DHS provided an update on internal investigations into civilian deaths in ICE operations and said he is “still waiting” (Rand Paul).
- ICE arrests reached nearly 51,000 in August 2026, described in the report as the highest single monthly arrest total of President Trump's second administration (nearly 51,000 in August 2026).
- The article notes ICE has lacked a Senate‑confirmed leader since the Obama administration and that David Venturella, a former private‑prison executive, is the acting director after Todd Lyons resigned (David Venturella).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the White House confirmed it withdrew Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead ICE but offered no explanation beyond a brief statement.
- NPR identifies Schroyer as a former Oklahoma state trooper with little immigration experience who is close to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
- Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Rand Paul reiterated he had refused to hold a hearing until DHS provided an update on internal investigations into civilian deaths in ICE operations and said he is “still waiting.”
- ICE arrests reached nearly 51,000 in August 2026, described as the highest single monthly arrest total of Trump’s second administration.
- The article confirms ICE has lacked a Senate‑confirmed leader since the Obama administration and notes David Venturella, a former private-prison executive, is currently acting director after Todd Lyons resigned.