ICE Seeks 5,000 New Agents to Expand Deportation Efforts

ICE plans to hire 5,000 more agents amid immigration crackdown. Expansion faces vetting challenges and controversy.

October 1, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking to add up to 5,000 new agents as part of a broader effort to increase deportations under the Trump administration’s intensified focus on immigration enforcement.

The agency has already expanded its workforce significantly, increasing the number of officers and agents from 10,000 to over 22,000, with more than 220,000 applications received in the process. Nearly 7,500 recruits are currently waiting for background checks, limiting their ability to work fully until the process is complete.

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Despite these efforts, concerns have emerged about the speed of hiring and the potential risks associated with accelerated vetting. A senior official from ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility warned that some new officers had not undergone proper screening, raising alarms about compliance with federal guidelines. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) insists it will maintain strict standards for all new hires, even as it continues to expand its operations.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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