Netherlands: Right-wing radicals riot at protest in the center of The Hague

U.S. Immigration Agency Without Leadership After Trump Withdraws Nomination for Top Official U.S. President Donald Trump has unexpectedly withdrawn his nomination for the leadership position of the controversial immigration agency ICE, leaving the agency without a director during his second term. According to the White House website, the nomination had already been submitted to the Senate but was subsequently rescinded. No reasons were given for the withdrawal. Originally, Trump intended to appoint former state police officer Lance Schroyer from Oklahoma as the new head of ICE. Media reports indicated that the confirmation process for Schroyer would have faced resistance in the Senate. With the withdrawal of the nomination, the leadership of one of the key agencies under Trump’s second term remains vacant. This move represents a setback for the president. According to U.S. media, Schroyer lacks extensive experience in immigration matters. Trump had referred to him as a patriot during his nomination in June. Media reports suggest that Schroyer is close to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who previously served as a senator in Oklahoma. Schroyer is a former marine infantryman. The position became available after the resignation of acting director Todd Lyons became public. The ICE agency has become a symbol of Trump's aggressive immigration policy during his second term, which began in January 2025. The agency conducted controversial raids against migrants in democratically governed cities, with some agents wearing masks. These actions sparked widespread protests across the United States. Tensions escalated further in January when two U.S. citizens died from gunshot wounds during such operations by federal agents from multiple agencies in Minneapolis. ICE Set New Record for Arrests According to its own figures, ICE arrested more than 50,000 undocumented immigrants in August, setting a new record. This number exceeds the previous months' totals, 50,208 in July and 43,900 in June. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned migrants, saying, “If you are illegally in the United States, you should go now. We will find you, arrest you, and deport you.” For those arrested, these detentions represent personal catastrophes. However, they receive less attention in the media compared to large demonstrations. This changed in June 2025 when protests erupted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Los Angeles. At that time, the government deployed the National Guard, and masked ICE agents traumatized local residents. In Minneapolis, federal agents shot dead two U.S. citizens, sparking global headlines. Collaboration with Local Police As summarized by the legal platform themarshallproject.org, many arrests today occur differently. Often, migrants are detained at official appointments. ICE uses and pays local police departments to conduct immigration checks or hand over detained migrants. Approximately 2,000 police departments have signed agreements with the government to assist with immigration enforcement. A quarter of the arrests in July took place in pro-Trump Texas. Homeland Security Secretary Mullin stated during a Republican party meeting in Texas recently that “our base wants mass deportations.” However, the department has adjusted its approach “and is trying to lower the temperature.” The number of migrants eligible for deportation under the law is increasing. Violent Protests in the Netherlands Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, right-wing extremists staged violent protests against the country’s immigration policies in The Hague. Demonstrators threw fireworks, leading to clashes with the police. Authorities arrested 24 individuals. Around 500 far-right demonstrators gathered in the capital city, chanting antisemitic slogans and attacking police officers with road signs, firecrackers, and other projectiles. Police used batons and water cannons, along with dogs, to disperse the crowd. Twenty-four people were arrested, charged with offenses including unlawful possession of weapons and resisting security forces. According to local media, at least one police vehicle was set on fire. Prime Minister Rob Jetten accused the protesters of deliberately seeking confrontation with the police and shouting “abhorrent” far-right and antisemitic slogans on social media platform X. The office of his D66 party was also attacked by the demonstrators. Justice Minister David van Weel condemned the attacks on police officers and the far-right slogans. “It is important to take decisive action here,” said the politician from the conservative-liberal VVD party. He described seeing “revolting images” in The Hague, including Hitler salutes, antisemitic slogans, violence against police, and the throwing of fireworks at police. He thanked all police officers for their work during this difficult operation. The demonstration, held under the slogan “We Are the People,” was organized as a protest against the Dutch government’s immigration policies. Initially planned as a march through the city, the demonstration was banned after violent incidents broke out in a park. The authorities ordered the dispersal of the gathering. Clashes Between Police and Right-Wing Extremists In The Hague, hundreds of right-wing extremists clashed with police despite a ban on the demonstration. About 500 demonstrators marched through the city center, chanting antisemitic slogans and attacking police with projectiles. Multiple arrests occurred, and police used batons and water cannons to quell the unrest. The demonstration, titled “We Are the People,” was announced as a protest against the Dutch government’s immigration policies. Originally, a march through the city was planned. However, due to prior violence in a park, the demonstration was prohibited, and the authorities ordered its dissolution. Justice Minister David van Weel praised the actions of the security forces. It was important to act decisively against scenes involving “Hitler salutes, antisemitic slogans, violence against the police, and the throwing of fireworks at the police,” he wrote on X.