Ex-Superman Actor Dean Cain to Join ICE as Honorary Officer

Dean Cain, best known for playing Superman in the 1990s TV show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, is preparing to take on a very different role — this time, in real life. The former actor says he will soon be sworn in as an officer for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, known as ICE. Cain made the announcement during an interview on Wednesday, telling Fox News, “I will be sworn in as an ICE agent asap.” The move comes shortly after Cain released a recruitment video encouraging Americans to join ICE. The agency is in the middle of a massive hiring campaign aimed at adding thousands of new officers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later confirmed Cain will not be a full-time field officer but will instead be sworn in as an “honorary ICE Officer” in the coming month. “Superman is encouraging Americans to become real-life superheroes by answering their country’s call to join the brave men and women of ICE,” said DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. “These officers help protect our communities and arrest the worst of the worst.”

A Big Recruitment Drive

ICE is currently looking to hire 10,000 new personnel, which would double its existing workforce. The move is part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to increase deportations of undocumented immigrants to one million per year. The agency is especially interested in recruiting deportation officers, attorneys, criminal investigators, and student visa adjudicators, as well as a range of support staff. To attract candidates, ICE is offering recruitment bonuses of up to $50,000 and student loan assistance.

In late July, the DHS even released recruitment posters inspired by those used during World War Two. The posters feature slogans like “America Needs You” and “Defend the Homeland,” alongside images of Uncle Sam, President Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and other officials. According to DHS, the campaign is already seeing results. Since July 29, the agency has received more than 80,000 applications for the 10,000 available positions. Secretary Noem also announced that age limits for new recruits have been removed to widen the pool of applicants.

Cain’s Journey from Screen to Service

Dean Cain rose to fame in the early 1990s as the charming Clark Kent/Superman on Lois & Clark, a role he played from 1993 to 1997. Since then, he has appeared in dozens of films and television shows, often in guest roles, and has also worked as a director.

But acting is not his only career. Cain is already a sworn law enforcement officer, serving as a reserve police officer and a deputy sheriff in different jurisdictions. This experience, he says, makes joining ICE a natural next step. “I put out a recruitment video yesterday,” Cain explained on Fox News. “I’m actually a sworn deputy sheriff and a reserve police officer. I wasn’t part of ICE, but once I put that out there and you put a little blurb on your show, it went crazy. So now I’ve spoken with some officials over at ICE, and I will be sworn in as an ICE agent asap.” Cain says he feels it is important for Americans with law enforcement backgrounds to help the agency meet its goals. “People have to step up. I’m stepping up. Hopefully a whole bunch of other former officers, former ICE agents will step up, and we’ll meet those recruitment goals immediately and help protect this country,” he said.

A Controversial Agency

ICE has been one of the most talked-about federal agencies in recent years, particularly since Donald Trump became president. The agency is responsible for enforcing immigration laws, detaining undocumented immigrants, and carrying out deportations. Under the Trump administration, ICE has increased its presence through large-scale raids in cities across the United States. These operations have sparked protests, with critics calling the raids unlawful and harmful to immigrant communities.

Supporters, including the Trump administration, say ICE plays a vital role in removing dangerous criminals from the country and in protecting national security. The agency’s growing role in U.S. immigration policy has made it both highly visible and highly divisive in public opinion.

ICE’s Image and the “Superman” Effect

The decision to bring Dean Cain on board as an honorary officer is seen by some as a public relations move to boost ICE’s image. By linking the agency with a popular cultural figure known for playing a hero, DHS may be hoping to inspire more people to apply. “Having someone like Dean Cain — who people remember as Superman — tell Americans to join ICE could make the idea more appealing,” said one media analyst. “It frames ICE officers as protectors, similar to superheroes, which fits with the recruitment messaging.” DHS officials have made no secret of their intention to draw on patriotic and heroic themes in their recruitment materials. The use of WWII-style posters and slogans is meant to send a message that joining ICE is not just a job, but a national duty.

What’s Next

Cain is expected to take part in official events for ICE once he is sworn in as an honorary officer next month. While his role will not involve day-to-day field operations, his involvement is expected to focus on public outreach, recruitment campaigns, and promoting the agency’s work. With 80,000 applicants already in the pipeline, ICE’s recruitment drive is off to a strong start. Whether Cain’s star power will push the agency closer to its goal of 10,000 new hires remains to be seen. For now, the man who once wore Superman’s cape is preparing to wear a different kind of uniform, one he says is about protecting communities and enforcing the law. “Superman protected Metropolis,” Cain told Fox News. “Now I’ll be helping to protect America.”