The White House withdrew Lance Schroyer’s ICE nomination after it stalled in the Senate.
Why it matters: ICE is central to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, and leadership uncertainty can shape enforcement priorities. The move comes as the agency faces scrutiny over arrests, vetting and conduct.
- The White House withdrew Lance Schroyer’s nomination on Sept. 17, 2026.
- Schroyer had been nominated by President Donald Trump in June 2026 but never got a Senate hearing.
- Sen. Rand Paul said he withheld a hearing until DHS answered his questions about civilian deaths during ICE operations.
- ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since Sarah R. Saldaña served from 2014 to 2017.
The White House has withdrawn Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending a months-long stall in the Senate without a committee hearing.
Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, was announced by President Donald Trump on June 27, 2026. At the time, Trump praised his law-enforcement background and involvement in the 287(g) program, which lets local agencies partner with federal immigration authorities. AP reported there were 2,033 participating agencies across 39 states and two U.S. territories.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee never held a hearing. Committee chair Rand Paul said he held off until the Department of Homeland Security provided information he requested about civilian deaths during ICE enforcement operations. Paul said, "I don’t have a concern with who the nominee was. I had asked them to give me an update on the internal investigation into civilian deaths."
The withdrawal extends a pattern of instability at the agency. ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since the Obama administration, with Sarah R. Saldaña the last confirmed chief from 2014 to 2017. Acting director Todd Lyons resigned in April, and David Venturella later took over in an acting role.
The vacancy also lands as ICE faces heightened scrutiny. AP reported a whistleblower complaint alleging vetting failures during a hiring surge, while ICE arrests reached nearly 50,000 in July 2026, the highest monthly total of Trump’s second term. In AP’s reporting, more than half of those arrested had not been convicted of crimes and were not facing criminal charges.
The White House did not publicly give a reason for pulling the nomination.
By the numbers
- Sept. 17, 2026 - date the White House withdrew Schroyer’s nomination
- Nearly 50,000 - ICE arrests in July 2026, the highest monthly total of Trump’s second term
- 2,033 agencies - agencies participating in the 287(g) program across 39 states and two U.S. territories
Yes, but: The White House did not explain why it withdrew the nomination, so the immediate trigger is still unclear.
What's next: The Senate committee could still revisit ICE leadership once DHS provides the information Rand Paul requested.