A Veteran Returns to Lead the Border Fight
The U.S. Senate on Friday evening narrowly confirmed Rodney Scott as the next Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — a move widely viewed as a major victory for President Donald Trump’s immigration and border enforcement agenda.
The final tally, 51–46, split entirely along party lines. All Republicans voted in favor, while every Democrat opposed Scott’s nomination, citing his strong advocacy for Trump-era enforcement policies such as Remain in Mexico, Title 42, and renewed border wall construction.
Scott, who previously served as Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, will now oversee the Department of Homeland Security’s largest enforcement agency, commanding roughly 65,000 employees. His appointment signals a full return to the tough border security approach that defined Trump’s first term.
CBP’s Structure and Scott’s Experience
CBP operates as one of the nation’s most critical security organizations, split into two major divisions:
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The Border Patrol, responsible for securing territory between ports of entry.
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The Office of Field Operations (OFO), which manages security at official border crossings, airports, and seaports.
As Border Patrol Chief, Scott earned a reputation as a law-and-order traditionalist who resisted efforts to politicize immigration enforcement. During the Biden administration, that independence cost him his job.
In April 2021, then–Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller informed Scott that the agency would replace the term “illegal alien” — used in federal law — with the politically softened phrase “undocumented immigrant.”
Scott objected in writing, warning that bending terminology to ideology would “erode public trust.”
“The U.S. Border Patrol must remain an apolitical federal law enforcement agency,” he wrote in a memo to DHS leadership. “Mandating the use of terms inconsistent with law risks further damaging confidence in our institutions.”
Four months later, he was forced out.
From Dismissal to Redemption
After his removal in 2021, Scott transitioned into policy work, joining the Texas Public Policy Foundation as a Distinguished Senior Fellow for Border Security. There, he became one of the most visible and vocal critics of Biden’s immigration policies — regularly appearing before Congress and in national media to advocate for tougher enforcement.
He championed policies such as:
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The “Remain in Mexico” program, which required asylum-seekers to await hearings south of the U.S. border.
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Safe Third Country Agreements, allowing the U.S. to send asylum applicants to nations they transited through.
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Expanded border wall construction, a project he helped manage as Chief.
Scott’s consistent message was simple: sovereignty requires enforcement.
“If you can’t control who enters your country, you don’t have a country,” he told lawmakers in a 2023 hearing. “Every nation has a right — and an obligation — to secure its borders.”
Trump’s Pick and His Praise
President Trump personally announced Scott’s nomination earlier this year, calling him “the most qualified border security professional in the country.”
“Rodney served nearly three decades in the Border Patrol, building vast experience and knowledge in law enforcement and border security,” Trump said in a statement. “As the 24th Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, he implemented Remain-in-Mexico, Title 42, and Safe Third Agreements — achieving record-low levels of illegal immigration. He’s exactly the leader we need to finish the job.”
Scott’s confirmation follows months of partisan gridlock over immigration appointments. Democrats repeatedly attempted to delay the vote, citing what they called “hardline and inhumane policies” from his past tenure. But Republicans, buoyed by strong polling on border security, stood united.
Scott’s Vision for CBP: ‘Integrity, Law, and Sovereignty’
After the Senate vote, Scott released a statement thanking Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for their confidence:
“I’m honored that the United States Senate has confirmed me, and I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Noem for their trust and unwavering leadership. I started my career on the front lines, and now I am ready to lead my CBP family with integrity and a clear mission — to defend our sovereignty, enforce the law, and put America first.”
Scott’s allies say his leadership style combines field-tested experience with a no-nonsense approach to management. Having started as a rookie patrol agent in San Diego in the 1990s, he rose through the ranks to oversee some of the busiest and most dangerous border sectors in the nation.
Former colleagues describe him as “calm under pressure, data-driven, and fiercely loyal to the mission.”
A Critical Moment for Border Enforcement
Scott’s confirmation arrives at a time of unprecedented migration challenges. Following four years of what Trump officials call “open-border policies” under President Biden, CBP is now tasked with restoring deterrence, rebuilding infrastructure, and reestablishing the rule of law along the southern border.
Illegal crossings — which peaked at over 2 million encounters in fiscal year 2024 — have dropped sharply in recent months as the Trump administration reinstated strict enforcement measures. But senior officials warn that smuggling networks remain deeply entrenched.
“We are dealing with highly organized transnational criminal organizations,” one DHS official said. “They adapt fast. Under Commissioner Scott, the message is clear: there are consequences again.”
The Political Divide
The confirmation vote underscored the deep partisan split over immigration policy. Democrats framed Scott’s appointment as a step backward.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) argued that his return “risks reviving the cruelty and chaos of the Trump years,” while Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) accused Republicans of “militarizing humanitarian enforcement.”
Republicans, by contrast, praised Scott as a professional, not a politician.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called the vote “a win for the rule of law,” adding: “Rodney Scott understands what the American people want — borders that mean something, and laws that are enforced.”
Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) said, “Our communities have paid the price for weak enforcement. This confirmation marks a turning point.”
A Judiciary Victory Follows
Scott’s confirmation coincided with another legal win for the Trump administration. On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6–3 to stay a lower court’s injunction that had blocked deportations to “third countries” — nations migrants passed through before reaching the U.S.
The ruling effectively reinstates the administration’s authority to send asylum-seekers to safe third countries without extended notice or hearings.
Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.
Administration officials say the decision will expedite removals and reduce the backlog of asylum claims — key goals of the new enforcement framework that Scott will now oversee.
The Road Ahead
Scott takes command of CBP at a pivotal juncture. His immediate priorities include:
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Rebuilding the Border Wall: Restarting stalled construction projects across Arizona, Texas, and California.
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Restoring Asylum Integrity: Fully implementing Remain in Mexico and fast-track adjudication for fraudulent claims.
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Expanding Technological Surveillance: Deploying new aerial and ground-based sensors to detect illegal crossings.
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Reforming CBP Hiring and Morale: Filling thousands of vacancies after years of attrition.
Insiders say his confirmation also marks the completion of Trump’s new DHS team, with Scott joining Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Director Tom Homan in what supporters call a “border enforcement dream team.”
“Rodney Scott’s appointment sends a message,” said former Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf. “The era of excuses is over. The mission now is enforcement, not rhetoric.”
Conclusion: A Border Reclaimed
For President Trump, the Senate’s approval of Rodney Scott is more than a personnel victory — it’s a symbol of restoration.
After years of what he called “lawless neglect” at the border, Trump has reinstalled one of his most trusted lieutenants to carry out the mandate he believes voters gave him: secure the border, stop the chaos, and restore control.
As Scott prepares to assume command, his task is as daunting as it is clear — rebuild public trust, reassert authority, and deliver results in a country that has grown weary of political promises.
“This isn’t about politics,” Scott told reporters after the vote. “It’s about sovereignty. It’s about security. And it’s about the rule of law. The American people deserve nothing less.”
Adrian Hawthorne is a celebrated author and dedicated archivist who finds inspiration in the hidden stories of the past. Educated at Oxford, he now works at the National Archives, where preserving history fuels his evocative writing. Balancing archival precision with creative storytelling, Adrian founded the Hawthorne Institute of Literary Arts to mentor emerging writers and honor the timeless art of narrative.