By Steve Neavling
The Department of Homeland Security is disputing a report that more than a third of new ICE recruits failed basic fitness tests at the agency’s Georgia training academy.
“The figures you reference are not accurate and reflect a subset of candidates in initial basic academy classes,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek. “Most of ICE’s new recruits are former law enforcement officers and many are former ICE officers who retired or quit under President Biden because they were frustrated about not being able to do their jobs.”
The Atlantic reported that some recruits were unable to complete 15 push-ups, 32 sit-ups, or a 1.5-mile run in under 14 minutes, citing internal emails that jokingly called them “athletically allergic.”
McLaughlin said the “vast majority” of new hires — more than 85% — are experienced officers who have already completed accredited training programs. ICE is “moving fitness checks earlier in the training sequence to improve efficiency and accountability,” she added.
DHS has received more than 175,000 applications as part of a nationwide hiring surge to support the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. The agency is offering signing bonuses of up to $50,000, student loan repayment, and has dropped the age cap for applicants, allowing anyone 18 or older to apply.
Former ICE acting director John Sandweg warned against rushing recruitment.
“If you start cutting corners on standards or background checks or training, that’s only a recipe for problems down the line,” he told Politico.
The hiring surge is backed by the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed July 4, which provides $170 billion for border and homeland security operations, including detention expansion and large-scale hiring across DHS.
