The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is rolling out an aggressive recruitment campaign, offering signing bonuses as high as $30,000 (£23,000) to new deportation officers. The move comes as the agency struggles with chronic understaffing while facing heightened demands to ramp up immigration enforcement.
Desperate Measures for a Struggling Agency
Internal documents reveal that ICE is grappling with a severe shortage of personnel, particularly in its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division. The agency has resorted to eye-catching incentives, including relocation allowances and student loan repayments, to attract candidates.
Political Pressure Mounts
The recruitment push coincides with increasing political pressure on ICE to accelerate deportations. Critics argue the agency's staffing crisis stems from low morale and controversial policies, while supporters claim more officers are needed to secure borders.
Who Qualifies for the Bonuses?
The lucrative $30,000 bonuses are reserved for new hires accepting positions in high-demand locations, typically near border regions. Lower-tier bonuses of $10,000-20,000 are available for less critical postings.
Applicants must commit to a minimum service period or repay the bonus. The agency is particularly seeking candidates with law enforcement or military backgrounds.
A Controversial Strategy
Immigration advocates have condemned the recruitment drive, arguing it prioritizes enforcement over humane solutions. "This isn't about security - it's about meeting arbitrary deportation targets," said one activist.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to walk a tightrope between progressive calls to reform ICE and conservative demands for stricter border controls.
