By Steve Neavling
The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is solidifying its immigration and border security team with the appointment of key figures to implement his hard-line policies.
Trump recently announced that Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief and staunch advocate of stricter enforcement, would serve as the next commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Associated Press reports.
Trump also named Caleb Vitello, a career official with more than 23 years at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the acting director of ICE.
Together, they will join a leadership team that includes South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security, former ICE head Tom Homan as border czar, and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff.
CBP, with its 60,000 employees, oversees border security, international trade, and travel. The agency includes the Border Patrol, which Scott previously led during Trump’s first term.
Scott began his career as a Border Patrol agent in 1992, working in San Diego, a key hub for illegal crossings at the time. His early experiences shaped his belief in the effectiveness of border barriers, a stance that aligned him closely with Trump’s immigration policies.
Scott served as San Diego sector chief in 2017, overseeing a region where wall construction had begun decades earlier. He was appointed head of the Border Patrol in January 2020, enthusiastically championing Trump’s policies, including the expansion of border wall infrastructure.
“Rodney Scott is well-known and trusted by the administration,” said Gil Kerlikowske, CBP commissioner during the Obama administration.
However, Kerlikowske criticized Scott for controversial actions, such as firing tear gas into Mexico during a 2018 protest. Scott defended the move, stating that agents were under attack by “a hail of rocks.”
Scott’s tenure under the Biden administration was short-lived; he was ousted after refusing to adopt directives such as replacing terms like “illegal alien” with “migrant.” Since then, he has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s immigration agenda, frequently appearing on conservative media and testifying before Congress.
As a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Scott has advocated for reinstating Trump-era policies and pressuring Mexico to step up immigration enforcement.
While much of the focus on Scott’s role will likely center on illegal immigration and border security, CBP’s responsibilities extend far beyond the U.S.-Mexico border. The agency manages trade and international travel at airports, seaports, and land crossings across the country, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of billions of dollars in goods and millions of passengers.
Kerlikowske emphasized the economic implications of CBP’s broader mission, particularly if Trump follows through on plans to increase tariffs on countries like Mexico, China, and Canada.
“The agency’s trade and tourism responsibilities have a huge impact on the economy if not managed properly,” he said.
Scott’s return to CBP signals a renewed push for stringent immigration measures under Trump’s leadership. His track record and public endorsements of hard-line policies underscore his commitment to reshaping immigration enforcement in the United States. As the administration takes shape, Scott’s leadership will play a critical role in implementing Trump’s vision for border security and trade policy.
