- Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to hire up to 5,000 additional agents, primarily deportation officers, expanding its workforce by 17 percent.
- The agency previously expanded its staff from 10,000 to more than 22,000 agents after Congress provided more than $100 billion in expanded funding under President Trump.
- ICE is currently managing a vetting backlog of nearly 7,500 recruits who are awaiting full background checks while working in limited capacities.
- An internal official warned that rushed recruitment and reduced vetting standards place the agency at risk of federal rule violations and insider compromise.
- Department of Homeland Security officials said the proposed hires stem from new funding and insisted they will maintain strict background check standards.
IN FULL
