Homeland Security removes age limits for ICE recruits to boost hiring
for Trump deportations
[August 07, 2025]
By REBECCA SANTANA
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday
that it is removing age limits for new hires at the agency responsible
for immigration enforcement, as it aims to expand hiring after a massive
infusion of cash from Congress.
The department said in a news release that it would waive age limits for
new applicants so “even more patriots will qualify to join ICE," the
agency responsible for finding, arresting, detaining and removing people
who are in the U.S. illegally.
The agency is at the center of the Trump administration's efforts to
carry out President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. Earlier this
summer Congress passed a spending bill that gives ICE money to hire
10,000 more staff.
Currently, ICE applicants must be 21 years old and no older than 37 or
40, depending on what position they are applying for.
In an interview with Fox & Friends, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi
Noem said applicants could be as young as 18.
“We no longer have a cap on how old you can be or you can continue at
age 18, sign up for ICE and join us and be a part of it. We'll get you
trained and ready to be equipped to go out on the streets and help
protect families," Noem said.
The department said all recruits would have to go through medical and
drug screening and complete a physical fitness test.
The agency promoted the age-limit changes on social media with
enthusiastic tones, casting the immigration-enforcement efforts as not
only patriotic but also epic and even cinematic.
[to top of second column]
|
A federal agent escorts a man to a bus after he was detained
following an appearance at immigration court, Monday, July 28, 2025,
in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
One post was accompanied by an image that looked like a recruiting
poster showing images of a young man and an older man, both wearing
military style tactical gear and holding weapons with the words “NO
AGE CAP JOIN ICE NOW" emblazoned on the bottom. “We’re taking
father/son bonding to a whole new level," it said.
Another showed an advertisement for a Ford Club Wagon — a large van
once popular for how many people it could carry — with the words:
“Think about how many criminal illegal aliens you could fit in this
bad boy?”
Written at the bottom of the image was the words “Want to deport
illegals with your absolute boys?” Absolute boys is a slang term
used to praise someone.
ICE earlier announced a recruiting campaign aimed at finding and
hiring the deportation officers, investigators and lawyers it will
need to meet its hiring goals.
As part of that campaign the agency is offering an eye-catching
bonus of up to $50,000 for new recruits as well as other benefits
like student loan forgiveness and abundant overtime for deportation
officers.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
