Amid increased immigration operations in the United States, it has been confirmed that the second-term administration of Donald Trump is giving financial bonuses to ICE agents as part of an aggressive detention and deportation plan.
These rewards are directly linked to the number of arrests made, incentivizing officers to meet monthly goals in exchange for additional pay, promotions and other employment benefits.
New incentive model
The new tax law signed on July 4 by Trump funnels an additional $75 billion for ICE and $46 billion for CBP.
Funding detention centers, massive hiring and equipment modernization.
The objectives include the delivery of monthly bonuses ranging from US$1,500 to US$7,500, depending on the type of operation and the area where they are carried out.
In states such as Texas, Florida, California and Arizona, raids with mass arrests have been reported.
According to leaked documents and statements from federal agents, they allow officers to increase their monthly income by up to 40% over the base salary.
The bonus is also increased if the operation occurs in sensitive locations such as churches, hospitals or universities.
Migratory production system
Human rights organizations such as RAICES and Immigrant ARC warn about the model that turns the migration system into a “production structure”.
According to Emma Montoya of the Oxford Human Rights Institute:
“Each detained migrant becomes a unit that justifies more funds.”
The law authorizes these payments through “discretionary instruments”, with no obligation to report them publicly.
In addition, agents who meet goals receive rapid promotions, internal recognition and access to elite training.
While those who hesitate or resist are excluded from relevant operational tasks.
It's a punitive economy
Emma Montoya
Legal claims and collateral effects
At least three class action lawsuits have been filed between May and July 2025.
The plaintiff organizations allege that the incentive program violates the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence.
It also promotes detentions without legal cause and criminalizes physical appearance or immigration status.
A CBP agent, under anonymity, stated:
“They tell us ‘today it’s time to arrest, not ask questions.’ If someone looks like a migrant and has no papers in sight, we arrest them. The bond depends on that.”
This type of pressure has also generated an increase in stress and emotional exhaustion among agents, who are faced daily with the dilemma of complying with figures or acting with legal criteria.
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