• DHS is scrapping the age limit for new ICE recruits to expand hiring.
  • Applicants aged 18 and older can now join ICE, with no upper age cap.
  • Incentives include $50,000 signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness, and enhanced retirement benefits.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday it is scrapping the age limit for new Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruits, allowing applicants as young as 18 and no maximum age, as Congress provides a major hiring boost.

Expanded Eligibility and Training

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox & Friends that recruits “can now be trained and ready” immediately upon enlistment. Previously, applicants had to be between 21 and 37 (or 40, depending on the role), restricting the pool of potential ICE officers.

“We no longer have a cap on how old you can be or you can continue at age 18,” Noem said . “Sign up for ICE and be part of it. We’ll get you trained and ready to go out on the streets.”

Lucrative Recruitment Incentives

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To attract candidates, ICE is offering up to signing bonuses of $50,000, student loan forgiveness, enhanced retirement benefits, and extensive overtime opportunities. These measures coincide with Congress’s summer spending bill to fund hiring 10,000 more staff.

Public Opinion on Immigration

A Gallup poll from June found 85 percent of Republicans approve of Donald Trump’s immigration stance, versus 28 percent of independents and 2 percent of Democrats. That survey also showed 48 percent of Republicans believe immigration levels should decrease .

Record Recruitment Response

DHS reports over 80,000 candidates applied in the first week of the expanded recruitment efforts, which Noem called “extremely successful” . White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller urged, “Calling all patriots. Submit your application TODAY” in an X post.

Rigorous Screening and Training Requirements

All new ICE officers face medical screening, drug screening, and a physical fitness test before deployment. Officials emphasize these standards ensure recruits can handle the demands of locating, arresting, and detaining noncitizens lacking legal status.

Mission Focus: Removing “Worst of the Worst”

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DHS’s press release underscored the need for “dedicated Americans to join ICE to remove the worst of the worst out of our country,” aligning with Trump administration priorities on immigration enforcement.

Looking Ahead

As ICE ramps up recruitment, DHS and congressional leaders will monitor whether the removal of age caps and lucrative incentives successfully fill thousands of vacancies. The policy shift represents a significant expansion of federal law enforcement capability amid ongoing debates over immigration policy and border security.

Will these bold reforms strengthen ICE’s capacity or spark fresh controversy over recruitment standards?

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