(NewsNation) — The Department of Homeland Security is pouring more than $100 million into recruiting new Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and is specifically targeting gun-rights advocates and military enthusiasts, the Washington Post reported.
The push is being described as a “wartime push” to add to ICE’s workforce as the Trump administration continues to clamp down on illegal immigrants and to carry out the largest mass deportation in American history. ICE has actively been looking to add to its workforce since President Donald Trump took office in January, offering $50,000 signing bonuses and other incentives to add federal officers.
The Post reported Wednesday that the marketing campaign is being directed at specific demographics, including those who attended UFC fights, listened to patriotic podcasts or showed interest in guns and tactical gear.
In a statement issued to NewsNation on Wednesday, a DHS spokesperson would not confirm or deny the content of leaked documents to the Washington Post.
“ICE is hiring the best of the best to get the worst of the worst criminals off America’s streets,” the spokesperson told NewsNation. “Many of ICE’s new recruits are former law enforcement officers, military, or former ICE officers who retired or quit under President Biden because they were frustrated about not being able to do their jobs.
But the agency’s current marketing push includes patriotic imagery in ads, including Uncle Sam and photos of the Statue of Liberty, with a call for Americans to defend their home. A Facebook ad, posted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, refers to a “critical mission” to be a “Homeland defender” protecting the nation against criminal immigrants, who have been charged with serious crimes.
“Defend the line, secure America’s future,” the ad states.
DHS officials have previously told NewsNation that more than 220,000 applications have been received for open ICE positions. More than $46 billion of Trump’s mega-funding bill has been allocated for the recruitment and hiring of 10,000 additional ICE officers. As part of the marketing effort, local police officers and previously retired ICE officers have been targeted as potential hires.
This month, DHS reported it has hired 11,751 federal law enforcement officers, criminal investigators, attorneys and support members since Trump took office. Still, ICE officials, including acting director Todd Lyons, are pushing for more hires. The agency said that an additional 18,000 tentative job offers have been made.
“I encourage all those who are committed to safeguarding our nation to apply and join this important mission. There is always a place for public servants who prioritize the security and well-being of America,” Lyons said in a statement issued by DHS.
In addition to the signing bonus, DHS is also promising other incentives, such as educational reimbursement and the opportunity to work remotely rather than being assigned to a specific geographic location. ICE has previously removed age requirements that were in place and streamlined the training program for new ICE officers from 13 weeks to six.
However, among the initial applicants who advanced to the training stage was a person who officials found was previously charged with robbery and battery that was related to a domestic violence complaint. Others failed to submit the required fingerprints that were needed for background checks that are required for potential hires.
ICE has made 53,520 arrests in 2025 as of the end of November, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. However, the organization reported that of those currently in ICE detention, nearly 74% have no prior criminal record. A total of 17,358 had previous criminal convictions, while another 17,218 had pending criminal charges. Meanwhile, 31,159 of those being detained were being held on “other immigration violations.”
Officials said the DHS recruiting campaign is under budget and ahead of schedule.
“(DHS) Secretary (Kristi) Noem has jump-started recruitment with new funding thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill,” the spokesperson said. “Americans who overwhelmingly voted for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens are already seeing the success of these efforts.”