The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday it is removing age restrictions for new hires at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aiming to ramp up staffing after receiving a significant funding boost from Congress.
In a press release, the department said the age cap would be waived so that “even more patriots will qualify to join ICE,” the agency tasked with locating, arresting, detaining, and deporting undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
ICE plays a key role in President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan. Earlier this summer, Congress approved a funding package enabling the agency to hire an additional 10,000 employees.
Currently, ICE applicants must be at least 21 and no older than 37 or 40, depending on the position. But during a Fox & Friends interview, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that the new minimum age would drop to 18, with no upper age limit.
“We no longer have a cap on how old you can be,” Noem said. “You can sign up for ICE at 18, and we’ll get you trained and equipped to go out on the streets and help protect families.”
All new hires will still be required to pass medical and drug tests and complete a physical fitness test.
To promote the change, ICE launched a bold social media campaign, framing immigration enforcement as a patriotic and even cinematic mission.
One post featured a poster-style image of a young and older man in tactical gear, holding weapons, with the slogan: “NO AGE CAP JOIN ICE NOW.” The caption read, “We’re taking father/son bonding to a whole new level.”
Another ad showed a Ford Club Wagon with the caption: “Think about how many criminal illegal aliens you could fit in this bad boy?” Underneath, it read: “Want to deport illegals with your absolute boys?”—using slang to highlight camaraderie among recruits.
ICE has already launched an aggressive recruiting campaign, seeking deportation officers, investigators, and legal staff. To draw applicants, the agency is offering up to $50,000 in signing bonuses, along with perks like student loan forgiveness and extensive overtime opportunities.
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