By Steve Neavling
The federal government is dropping age restrictions for new ICE officers, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday.
“We’ve removed any of the age barriers,” Noem said during an appearance on FOX & Friends. “We no longer have a cap on how old you can be, or sign up at age 18 and join us.”
Previously, applicants had to be at least 21 to join ICE, with upper age limits of 37 for criminal investigators and 40 for deportation officers, according to ICE’s recruitment site.
The change is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to expand ICE under new legislation that dramatically increases the agency’s funding, UPI reports. New hires are now eligible for up to $50,000 in signing bonuses, student loan repayment and forgiveness, higher pay for special agents, enhanced retirement benefits, and overtime.
Noem said the new incentives have helped fuel a surge in recruitment. “Our efforts to hire 10,000 new ICE officers has been extremely successful,” she said.
Applicants must still pass medical and drug screenings and complete a physical fitness test.
In a press release, Noem said the move will allow “even more patriots” to join ICE and help arrest “murderers, pedophiles, gang members, rapists, and other criminal illegal aliens from America’s streets.”
