Scott previously held the position of Border Patrol Chief and currently oversees the largest enforcement department within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which employs approximately 65,000 individuals.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is divided into two main divisions: the Border Patrol, responsible for safeguarding the nation’s borders between ports of entry, and the Office of Field Operations (OFO), which manages security at the ports of entry.
Scott’s confirmation came through a 51-46 party-line vote, with all Republican senators supporting him and all Democratic senators opposing.
During the Biden administration, Scott was removed from his role as Border Patrol Chief after he resisted politically driven changes at CBP. In April 2021, Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller notified Scott that the agency would adopt the term “undocumented immigrant” in place of the legally precise term “illegal alien.”
At that time, Chief Scott sent an internal memo to Miller, asserting that, “The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is and must remain an apolitical federal law enforcement agency…Despite every effort by USBP leadership to maintain consistency in official messaging with law, fact, and evidence, it is undeniable that the reputation of the USBP has been adversely affected by numerous external influences. Requiring the use of terminology that contradicts legal definitions could further undermine public confidence in our governmental institutions.”
Scott is set to retire from his position as Chief of the Border Patrol in August 2021.
Following his departure from the Border Patrol, Commissioner Scott continued to be a prominent advocate for the necessity of securing our borders, consistently urging a return to the practices established during the Trump administration. In the fall of 2021, he is set to commence his role as a Distinguished Senior Fellow for Border Security at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Scott has addressed Congress on numerous occasions and has made a multitude of media appearances promoting stricter immigration enforcement.
In addition to supporting Safe Third Country agreements and the Remain in Mexico program, which mandates that asylum seekers wait in Mexico for their court hearings, Scott has endorsed the construction of a border wall, which remains a primary goal for a potential second Trump administration.
Commissioner Scott expressed optimism following the Senate’s vote. In a statement, he remarked: “I am honored that the United States Senate has confirmed me, and I extend my gratitude to President Trump and Secretary Noem for their trust and steadfast leadership. I began my career on the front lines, and I am now prepared to lead my CBP family with integrity and a clear mission to uphold our sovereignty, enforce the law, and prioritize America.”
President Donald Trump also commended Scott during the announcement of his nomination.
“Rodney dedicated nearly three decades to the Border Patrol, acquiring extensive experience and expertise in Law Enforcement and Border Security. Rodney held the position of the 24th Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, where he implemented the Remain-in-Mexico policy, Title 42, Safe Third Agreements, and achieved unprecedented low levels of illegal immigration,” Trump stated.
Scott’s confirmation arrives at a pivotal moment for CBP.
As the nation endeavors to recover from four years of open-borders policies, the agency is essential in fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to restore order at the border.
In the upcoming weeks and months, FAIR intends to work closely with the Trump administration and CBP to reverse the harm inflicted by the practices of the Biden administration.
On Monday, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s request to suspend a lower court injunction that had prevented deportations of individuals to third countries without prior notification.
This ruling signifies a short-term victory for the administration as it seeks to swiftly enforce its immigration crackdown.
The Court decided 6-3 in favor of maintaining the injunction, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson expressing dissent.
The case involved a group of migrants challenging their deportations to third countries—nations other than their countries of origin.
