Over 150,000 Americans have submitted applications to work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This surge in interest follows a renewed push by the federal government to ramp up deportations and arrest illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s statement
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the overwhelming response on Tuesday, stating that ICE had received more than 150,000 applications from citizens eager to aid in the removal of dangerous criminal migrants from the United States.
The recruitment effort comes as part of a broader strategy to address illegal immigration and protect American citizens from what the administration describes as the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants.
“We are seeing an extraordinary outpouring of patriotism, with Americans stepping up to help safeguard our communities,” Noem remarked.
“ICE has already issued over 18,000 tentative job offers as part of this critical mission to remove dangerous individuals, including murderers, rapists, gang members, and terrorists.”
Why is ICE expanding its hiring?
As part of this push, ICE has enhanced its recruitment efforts by offering a variety of financial incentives.
New recruits are being offered signing bonuses of up to $50,000, student loan repayment options, and increased retirement benefits.
For certain positions, including Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Deportation Officers, candidates may also receive “administratively uncontrollable overtime” pay.
ICE has also focused on attracting former federal law enforcement officers who left their positions under the Biden administration.
As part of this, the agency launched “Operation Return to Mission,” an initiative to bring back experienced personnel to bolster staffing.
The recruitment drive follows a large influx of funding provided by the federal government to ICE.
The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” allocated $75 billion to strengthen the agency’s capabilities.
This includes $30 billion earmarked specifically for deportation and criminal arrest efforts, as well as $45 billion to expand detention facilities across the country.
In another major policy shift, Secretary Noem revealed that ICE would be lifting the age restrictions that had previously prevented individuals over the age of 37 or 40 from applying for certain roles.
The move is expected to attract older, experienced candidates who may have previously been excluded from the process.
Under the direction of the Trump administration, ICE has intensified its operations in major cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. A recent initiative, dubbed Operation Midway Blitz, was launched in Chicago.
The operation targets criminal migrants who have allegedly sought refuge in Illinois due to the state’s sanctuary policies, which critics claim shield illegal immigrants from federal enforcement.
The increased crackdown is a direct response to public protests earlier this summer, some of which turned violent, against ICE’s controversial deportation policies.
While the protests have drawn national attention, the surge in recruitment suggests strong support for the agency’s current strategy among many Americans.