The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Rodney Scott as the new Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the nation’s largest law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Scott, a seasoned law enforcement official, brings decades of experience in border security to his new leadership role, overseeing an agency with roughly 65,000 employees tasked with securing America’s borders and managing the flow of people and goods into the country.

CBP operates through two primary divisions: the Border Patrol, responsible for protecting the borders between official ports of entry, and the Office of Field Operations (OFO), which handles security and inspections at those ports. Scott previously served as the Border Patrol Chief, a role where he gained a reputation for steadfastly advocating strict border enforcement policies.

The Senate’s confirmation vote followed party lines, with all 51 Republicans supporting Scott and all 46 Democrats opposing his appointment. This partisan division reflects ongoing debates about immigration and border policies within the country.

Scott’s tenure as Border Patrol Chief ended under the Biden administration in August 2021, amid disagreements over policy changes. One notable dispute arose when Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller directed the agency to adopt the phrase “undocumented immigrant” rather than the legally precise term “illegal alien.” Scott opposed this shift in internal messaging, arguing in a memo that the Border Patrol must remain apolitical and that using terms inconsistent with the law risks damaging public trust in federal institutions.

Despite stepping down from his official role, Scott has remained a vocal advocate for border security, frequently calling for a return to the tougher immigration enforcement measures enacted during the Trump administration. After leaving CBP, he joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation as a Distinguished Senior Fellow, focusing on border security policy.

Over the past few years, Scott has made numerous appearances before Congress and in the media, championing policies such as the “Remain in Mexico” program and Safe Third Country agreements. These initiatives require asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases are processed, reducing the number of migrants entering the country during pending court hearings. Scott has also supported expanding the border wall—an effort that remains central to the Trump administration’s immigration strategy.

Following his Senate confirmation, Scott expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead CBP. In a public statement, he emphasized his commitment to upholding the agency’s mission with integrity, defending U.S. sovereignty, enforcing immigration laws, and prioritizing America’s security. Scott thanked President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem for their support and leadership throughout the confirmation process.

President Trump praised Scott’s extensive background in border enforcement, highlighting his nearly 30 years of service in the Border Patrol. Trump noted that during his time as Border Patrol Chief, Scott implemented key policies such as the Remain in Mexico program, Title 42 expulsions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Safe Third Country agreements, all contributing to historically low levels of illegal border crossings.

Scott’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the nation grapples with immigration challenges following the more relaxed policies of the Biden administration. Advocates for stricter border controls see his leadership as a vital step toward restoring order and security at the southern border.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a prominent immigration advocacy group, has expressed optimism about working closely with Scott and the Trump administration to reverse policies that they say have weakened border enforcement in recent years.

In related developments, the U.S. Supreme Court recently granted a significant victory to the Trump administration by allowing it to temporarily pause a lower court injunction that blocked deportations to third countries without prior notice. This ruling permits the government to resume sending migrants to nations other than their countries of origin under certain agreements.

The Supreme Court’s decision was reached by a 6-3 vote, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting. The case involves migrants who challenged their deportations, arguing they should not be sent to third countries without due process.

This ruling signals the administration’s determination to swiftly implement immigration enforcement policies aimed at reducing unauthorized border crossings and expediting removals.

As Commissioner Scott takes the helm at CBP, he will face the complex task of balancing law enforcement with humanitarian concerns amid an ever-changing immigration landscape. His leadership is expected to steer the agency back toward the stringent policies favored by the Trump administration, emphasizing border security and the enforcement of existing immigration laws.