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.