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ICE Recruitment Drive Draws Thousands in Texas as DHS Tallies 130,000 Applications

Generous bonuses with loosened eligibility accelerate hiring to meet expanded enforcement goals.

Overview

  • DHS says more than 130,000 people have applied since the July push to add 10,000 ICE agents.
  • Roughly 3,000 applicants turned out for the Arlington, Texas, expo, where recruiters conducted screenings and signaled on-the-spot offers.
  • Candidate incentives include signing bonuses up to $50,000 and the removal of the prior age cap for deportation officers.
  • Applicants described aims such as enforcing immigration laws or defending the country, with backgrounds spanning veterans, former police, an ex–MMA fighter and a community college student.
  • Protesters challenged attendees outside the venue, and DHS reports an 830 percent increase in assaults on ICE officers.