WASHINGTON — The individuals who will spearhead President-elect Donald Trump’s strict immigration and border strategies are becoming more clearly defined following his announcements regarding key appointments for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the agency responsible for deporting undocumented immigrants.
On Thursday, Trump revealed that he would appoint Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief known for his advocacy of stringent enforcement policies, as the new CBP commissioner. Scott has a long-standing history with the Border Patrol, having joined the agency in 1992 and previously serving as the sector chief in San Diego, a critical area for illegal crossings.
In addition, Trump intends to nominate Caleb Vitello as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Vitello, a seasoned ICE official with over two decades of experience in the agency, is currently the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs.
These leaders will collaborate with an immigration team that consists of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who will oversee the Department of Homeland Security; Tom Homan, the former acting head of ICE, serving as a border czar; and Stephen Miller, known for his hard-line immigration stance, acting as deputy chief of staff.
Customs and Border Protection operates under the Department of Homeland Security and employs about 60,000 personnel. It encompasses the Border Patrol, which Scott previously led during Trump’s first term, and is primarily tasked with safeguarding U.S. borders while managing trade and travel.
Scott’s tenure has been rooted in the Border Patrol. He began his career in 1992 and served largely in San Diego, an area that saw significant enforcement increases, leading to a decrease in illegal crossings. However, critics have pointed out that these measures merely shifted illegal activities to more remote areas of California and Arizona.
Scott’s belief in the efficacy of border barriers was shaped during the early 1990s when wall construction in San Diego began. Following his promotion to head the border agency in January 2020, he supported Trump’s immigration policies wholeheartedly.
Gil Kerlikowske, who served as the CBP commissioner during the Obama era, noted that Scott is a well-known figure in this field and has established trust within the administration. However, Kerlikowske criticized some of Scott’s decisions, such as his rejection of a Biden administration directive to stop using terms like “illegal alien,” opting instead for more acceptable terminology. Additionally, Kerlikowske disapproved of Scott’s choice to deploy tear gas into Mexico during his tenure in San Diego, stating that it is inappropriate to use force against protesters in another country.
At the time of these events, Scott defended the conduct of the agents, claiming they were responding to assaults involving rocks.
Beyond the focus of Trump’s administration on illegal immigration and border security, Kerlikowske emphasized that CBP has a broader mandate that includes managing trade and international travel through airports, ports, and border crossings. The agency’s leadership will be crucial in ensuring the smooth movement of goods and travelers while also enforcing any potential tariff increases Trump has promised on Mexico, Canada, and China.
“There are extensive responsibilities linked to trade, tourism, and cybersecurity that require significant attention, as mismanagement could strongly affect the economy,” Kerlikowske remarked.
Since being dismissed under the Biden administration, Scott has remained a prominent advocate for Trump’s stringent immigration policies, regularly appearing on Fox News and giving congressional testimonies. He has also joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation as a senior fellow. During a recent interview, he reiterated his support for reinstating Trump-era immigration policies and advocated for increased pressure on Mexico to bolster its own immigration enforcement efforts.
