The Trump administration has launched a controversial recruitment campaign for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, employing unconventional tactics to boost staffing for what officials describe as the largest immigration crackdown in American history.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken to social media platform X with provocative posts featuring slogans like "Deport illegal aliens with your buddies" and "America Needs You," while enlisting Superman actor Dean Cain as an "honorary agent" to attract applicants.
The recruitment drive offers substantial financial incentives, including signing bonuses up to US$50,000 (approximately HK$390,000) and student loan forgiveness of up to US$60,000 (about HK$469,000). In an unusual move, the agency has removed age restrictions, allowing the rehiring of retired agents. These efforts come as the administration allocates a staggering US$150 billion (around HK$1.17 trillion) to immigration enforcement operations.
Early results show a significant increase in deportations, with ICE removing 144,000 individuals by June - already surpassing last year's numbers for the same period. While supporters applaud the tougher stance, critics argue the campaign's rhetoric and methods risk normalizing divisive immigration policies. The recruitment language in particular has drawn fire for framing deportation operations as casual activities, with civil rights groups warning this approach could further polarize the national debate on immigration reform.
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