What ICE agents earn and what their benefits look like

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to receive a historic boost in funding and staffing as part of the Trump administration’s latest immigration initiative, positioning the agency at the center of the federal government’s law enforcement efforts. Under President Donald Trump’s reconciliation bill, ICE’s annual budget will triple to approximately $30 billion, marking a significant expansion for an agency that has claimed for years to be operating under strain.

ICE funding

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to use the funding to recruit 10,000 new ICE agents over the next four years, offering a suite of bonuses and benefits designed to attract talent and retain experienced officers. The hiring push will be supported by a series of nationwide job fairs and listings on the federal government’s USA Jobs portal. Current openings for Deportation Officers are concentrated in major border and coastal cities including Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Salaries for these positions range from $49,739 to $89,528 annually, with opportunities for additional pay through overtime and regional adjustments.

The Department of Homeland Security

To further incentivize recruitment, DHS is rolling out a package of financial bonuses. Existing ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will receive $10,000 annual retention bonuses for the next four years, while new hires will be eligible for signing bonuses, mirroring similar initiatives previously launched for Border Patrol officers. Agents may also earn additional compensation for strong performance and for committing to an extra two years of service. ICE agents will continue to enjoy federal employee benefits including health, dental, vision, life and long-term care insurance, as well as participation in government retirement plans and flexible spending accounts. Annual leave accrual ranges from 13 to 26 days, supplemented by paid personal leave and all federal holidays.

Reactions to the funding package

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the funding package in a press release, stating, “This $165 billion in funding will help the Department of Homeland Security and our brave law enforcement further deliver on President Trump’s mandate to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens and MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!” ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons echoed that sentiment, describing the legislation as a win for both the agency and the public. “I speak on behalf of the entire agency when I say that ICE is grateful to President Trump for putting in the hard work necessary to get the Big, Beautiful Bill across the finish line — but the real win is for the American people,” Lyons said in a July 3 statement. “The unprecedented funding for ICE will enable my hard-working officers and agents to continue making America safe again by identifying, arresting and removing criminal aliens from our communities.”

ICE deportations

While the expanded funding aims to bolster immigration enforcement and deportations, ICE’s actions remain under growing scrutiny nationwide. As the agency prepares for its largest staffing surge in history, critics and advocates alike will be closely watching how the new resources are deployed in the coming years.

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