WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday that it would remove age limits for new hires within the agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, following a massive funding infusion from Congress.
The department stated in a press release that it would drop the age restrictions for new applicants so that “even more patriots qualify to join ICE,” the agency charged with locating, arresting, detaining, and deporting people who are in the United States without legal authorization.
The agency sits at the center of efforts to carry out President Donald Trump’s agenda of mass deportations. Earlier this summer, Congress approved a spending bill that provides ICE with funds to hire 10,000 more employees.
Currently, ICE applicants must be at least 21 years old and no older than 37 or 40, depending on the position for which they are applying.
In an interview on Fox & Friends, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said applicants could be as young as 18.
“We have no age limit moving forward—you can be 18, join ICE, and become part of this effort. We will train you and prepare you to head out onto the streets and help protect families,” Noem said.
The department noted that all recruits would undergo medical examinations and drug screening, and complete a physical fitness test.
Earlier, ICE announced a recruitment push aimed at finding and hiring deportation officers, investigators, and attorneys it will need to meet its hiring goals.
As part of that push, the agency is offering an attractive signing bonus of up to $50,000 for new recruits, as well as other benefits such as student loan forgiveness and generous overtime for deportation officers.
