ICE plans to sell or give away $700 million in empty warehouses
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly plans to sell or give away seven unused warehouse facilities it purchased as part of a major immigration detention expansion.
Unbranded – Newsworthy
President Donald Trump announced on June 27 that he will nominate former Oklahoma State Trooper Lance Schroyer to head the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The Senate must confirm Lance immediately. Don’t delay,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, calling Schroyer a “patriot” and claiming he would help implement Trump’s broader immigration push to detain and deport people the administration considers felons.
The move to fill the position comes months after ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, who oversaw immigration enforcement enforcement related to murders in Minnesota and Illinois, resigned as acting director in late May.
Trump said Schroyer has worked in Oklahoma law enforcement for more than 29 years and is also a U.S. Marine. Most recently, Mr. Schroyer spearheaded the federal-local immigration enforcement partnership with ICE, which includes programs that enable state and local agencies to assist federal immigration authorities.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also praised the pick, saying Schroyer’s background positions him to advance the administration’s immigration enforcement goals and urging the Senate to move quickly to confirm him.
Who is Lance Schroyer?
Schroyer currently serves as a senior advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, where he helps coordinate immigration enforcement strategies and interagency cooperation among federal, state, and local partners, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
He previously served as a major in the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, overseeing emergency and special forces units handling disaster response, civil war planning, abducted child rescue operations, and tactical operations.
Discussion on ICE leadership vacancies and broader enforcement
ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017 and has been primarily led by acting officials.
The appointment comes as the agency continues to play a central role in President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. The Trump administration is expanding detention and deportation efforts as part of the president’s goal to crack down on illegal immigrants. Immigrant rights groups have raised concerns about civil liberties and detention conditions. ICE has come under intense scrutiny over enforcement actions and deaths in its custody, including cases that have sparked protests and public debate.
ICE’s detention strategy continues to evolve, including adjustments to the planning and use of detention facilities. At the same time, immigration enforcement agents are being deployed to more states, indicating a nationwide presence as part of the administration’s crackdown.
Contributed by: Reuters
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT.
