The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will allow teenagers to apply to become Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents by removing age restrictions.
Prior to the new change, applicants were required to be at least 21 years old and no older than 37 or 40, depending on the role within the agency. They are tasked with locating, arresting, and detaining non-citizens lacking legal status.
DHS Removes Age Limit for ICE Agent Applicants
The DHS made the announcement in a Wednesday press release where Kristie Noem said that applicants as young as 18 years old can now be "trained and ready." She said that teenagers who are eager to join will be sent out on the streets to "help protect families."
ICE is trying to lure new candidates by offering incentives that include signing bonuses of up to $50,000, student loan forgiveness, enhanced retirement benefits, and extensive overtime opportunities.
The new change comes as the agency has become a key player in President Donald Trump's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Recently, Congress passed a spending bill that provided funds to the agency and allowed it to hire 10,000 more staff, according to Newsweek.
Read more: Teenage US Citizen Captures Immigration Agents Saying 'You've Got No Rights' During Violent Arrest
Polls showed mixed reactions on immigration, where 85% of Republicans agree with Trump and how he is handling the current issue. That same survey also found that 48% of Republicans believe that immigration levels in the United States should be reduced. In 2024, a survey showed that 88% of Republicans wanted a similar situation.
DHS noted that less than one week from the launch of its recruitment efforts, more than 80,000 candidates applied to join ICE. DHS Secretary Noem called the latest efforts "extremely successful."
Donald Trump's Illegal Immigration Crackdown
Even with the ease of age limits, the DHS will still require all recruits to go through medical and drug screening and complete a physical fitness test. Previously, ICE announced a recruiting campaign to hire deportation officers, investigators, and lawyers to meet hiring goals, ABC News reported.
The change also resulted in questions about whether or not the agency is having difficulties trying to attract qualified candidates. The ICE recruitment page noted that deportation officers and special agents are required to be in excellent physical condition and must be able to tolerate environmental stresses and have strong critical thinking skills.
The latest move to remove the age limits comes as the Trump administration is ramping up its anti immigration efforts to carry out the president's mass deportation agenda, as per The Hill.
