Huge number of applicants respond to ICE recruitment campaign

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons revealed just how many applications a recent recruitment campaign has netted.

Just one week ago, ICE introduced a generous hiring package in the hopes of enticing new agents to help bolster the ranks and enact President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda. The benefits include “$50,000 signing bonuses, student loan relief, law enforcement availability pay of 25% for Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents, ‘administratively uncontrollable overtime’ for ICE deportation officers, and retirement benefits,” according to a report from Fox News.

It didn’t take long for the department to be flooded with applications, as Lyons joined Fox to reveal just how massively successful the effort had been.

ICE agent recruitment is higher than ever.

78,000 Americans have applied to become agents. ICE continues to build strength so that it may continue to push this administration’s deportation mission.

President Trump continues to fight for Americans. pic.twitter.com/EUiJAavpHe

— Rep. Wesley Hunt Press Office (@RepWPH) August 4, 2025

“We have almost 78,000 applicants since we opened up,” he said.

“We’re going through and we’re finding those people that really want to serve the country and really be in law enforcement. I think it’s a great way to recruit. Now we’re taking back our rehired annuitants, people that left the job early because they weren’t allowed to do the law enforcement mission.”

“But we have so many people who are now interested in working with ICE because, under Secretary Noem’s leadership, they’re seeing that we have a viable law enforcement partner in the community. You’re actually out making a difference. We’re really ecstatic about seeing the increase in new recruits who are applying,” he added.

The compelling recruitment campaign included a powerful statement from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem:

Your country is calling you to serve at ICE. In the wake of the Biden administration’s failed immigration policies, your country needs dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country. This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland.

The successful passage of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will fund the hiring of 10,000 new ICE agents, a move that has been criticized by leftists and Democrats who opposed not only the bill, but the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

It remains to be seen whether the surge in applications will result in additional funds being funneled to agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Patrol.