A number of law enforcement officials aren’t happy with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s attempt at poaching local officers from their departments, NBC News said in a report. Criticism flowed in as the agency retooled its recruitment strategies to satisfy a 10,000-person budget allocation.
NBC News spoke to leaders who signed ICE’s 287(g) program that deputized local officers to help with immigration enforcement. The news station obtained a copy of the email, in which ICE said recipients understand the responsibilities in upholding federal law and would bring “invaluable experience” to the department.
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The Pinellas County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office told the television station that ICE using the partnership as a recruitment tool is “wrong” and has contacted leadership.
Jonathan Thompson, executive director and CEO of the National Sheriffs’ Association, called the strategy a bad judgment that he suspects would erode ICE’s relationship with local law enforcement, he said in an interview with NBC News.
The federal agency told the news station it’s recruiting current officers, military veterans and “other patriots who want to serve their country.”
Sheriff: Email reclassified policing as a job than calling
More than a dozen law enforcement agencies emailed the National Sheriffs’ Association about ICE’s recruitment, Thompson said. He added the group hasn’t heard from the Department of Homeland Security ever since the emails were flagged for the NSA.
“This is inappropriate behavior of a partner organization,” he told NBC News.
An anonymous Florida police chief equated the email to transfer portals used in college sports, which athletes use to signal other coaches they intend on switching schools and joining the team. The chief described ICE’s actions as redefining policing from being a calling to a job.
Grady Judd, sheriff for Polk County, Florida, directed blame for ICE’s emails at DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and told her to “get on her big girl pants” and apologize. He’s not against President Donald Trump’s goal to aggressively ramp up immigration actions and deport unauthorized migrants.
Not all are upset over the emails. Thaddeus Cleveland, sheriff for Terrell County, Texas, has only four deputies and knows he can’t compete well with the federal government’s $50,000 bonuses. He’s not opposed to anyone bettering their careers by seeking employment with the federal government.
ICE budget bloated in bill
Trump signed his “One Big Beautiful Bill” in July, making Immigration and Customs Enforcement the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the nation, with a budget of $165 billion. Homeland Security said in a release on Friday, July 4, that funding from the bill allows the agency to hire enough agents to increase the deportation rate to 1 million people per year.
DHS released recruitment plans to attract 10,000 new ICE agents. The department is offering $50,000 signing bonuses and student loan forgiveness to attract new recruits. Ad campaigns included language about future agents “defending the homeland” and imagery of President Donald Trump and Noem.
The agency launched the America Needs You webpage, hosted on ICE’s regular recruitment site, where it said, “America has been invaded by criminals and predators. We need you to get them out.” It’s seeking people to fill its deportation, criminal investigations and general attorney positions.
