Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a nationwide recruitment drive for recently retired federal agents this July 2025. Under the slogan “Return to Mission,” the agency seeks to bolster its ranks to meet an ambitious goal: to deport one million undocumented immigrants in a single year.
This initiative, pushed by President Donald Trump in his second term, is supported by a recently passed budget bill that allocates $75 billion to strengthen ICE: $30 billion to hire additional staff and $45 billion for detention centers.
Bonuses and salaries to attract former agents
Economic incentives are key to the strategy.
The Department of Homeland Security(DHS) offers:
Hiring bonuses of up to $50,000 USD
Base salaries between $88,000 and $171,000 USD per year
Compatibility with federal pension for those who retired with good standing
In addition to deportation agents, criminal investigators and immigration prosecutors are being hired.
Especially in Washington D.C. and states with saturated courts. The call will be open until August 18.
How effective has the operation been?
La agencia busca reforzar sus filas para acometer una ambiciosa meta
QuéOnnda.com
Although the ICE campaign projects an image of efficiency, actual data indicate a much more moderate pace.
Between January and June 2025:
More than 207,000 deportations have taken place, well below the targeted 1 million
Nearly 72% of detainees had no serious criminal record
Citizen support for ICE remains low: 54% believe its actions have been excessive.
These figures have fueled the perception that migration policy prioritizes appearances over real results.
Risks and community rejection
Civil organizations have warned that ICE’s campaign will intensify surveillance, fear and family separation in migrant communities.
The pressure to meet quotas has generated abuses documented in social networks: arrests in front of minors, use of excessive force and persecution in workplaces.
In addition, money earmarked for ICE has been cut from social programs such as health and education, according to human rights advocates.
Millions of Latinos in the U.S. – especially in sectors such as construction, cleaning, agriculture and hospitality – now live in fear of being raided. -especially in sectors such as construction, cleaning, agriculture and hospitality- now live in fear of being subject to raids. This has led to:
Absenteeism of children from school due to fear of family detention
Lack of attendance at legal and medical appointments
Increased need for access to immigration counseling and consular protection
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