DHS removes age limit to hire more ICE officers for deportations, Internet says 'get these illegals home'

WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, announced Wednesday, August 6, that it is scrapping age limits for applicants to ICE.

The decision marks the latest escalation in DHS’s aggressive push to dramatically expand the ranks of agents empowered to detain individuals suspected of illegal immigration.

The hiring surge began in early July and gained full momentum on July 29 with the launch of the department’s nationwide “Defend the Homeland” recruitment campaign, targeting both retired federal workers and younger applicants with expanded incentives.

DHS announces new expansion of ICE recruitment process in recent release

A new statement from the Department of Homeland Security has opened the door to a much broader pool of ICE applicants by lowering the minimum age to 18 and eliminating the maximum age limit. Previously, applicants had to be at least 21 and generally could not be older than 37 or 40, depending on the position.

“Secretary Kristi Noem today announced US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will waive age limits for new applicants,” the release said. The announcement emphasized, "so even more patriots will qualify to join ICE in its mission to arrest murderers, pedophiles, gang members, rapists, and other criminal illegal aliens from America’s streets."

The statement continued, "All ICE law enforcement recruits will be required to go through medical screening, drug screening, and complete a physical fitness test."

“We are ENDING the age cap for ICE law enforcement,” Noem declared. “Qualified candidates can now apply with no age limit. JOIN.ICE.GOV.”

The official X account of the Department of Homeland Security also posted a tweet stating, "We’re taking father/son bonding to a whole new level. http://JOIN.ICE.GOV," which quickly went viral, attracting millions of views and sparking a wave of comments.

Kristi Noem confirms the changes in the ICE hiring process

In a recent 'Fox & Friends' interview, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the change. “We no longer have a cap on how old you can be,” she said. “you can continue at age 18, sign up for ICE and join us and be a part of it. We'll get you trained and ready to be equipped to go out on the streets and help protect families.”

ICE launched a national hiring campaign to recruit 10,000 new agents, including deportation officers, investigators, and attorneys. To draw in applicants, the agency is offering up to $50,000 in signing bonuses, along with benefits such as student loan forgiveness and generous overtime pay.

The campaign has already sparked massive interest, ICE has received more than 80,000 applications, according to Noem. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller urged Americans to act quickly, “Calling all patriots. Submit your application TODAY.”

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons emphasized the urgency of the effort. “Your country is calling on you to serve at ICE and defend the Homeland,” he said. “In the wake of the Biden administration’s open border policies, the dedicated men and women of ICE now face unprecedented challenges in removing millions of criminal illegal aliens from our country. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, we now have funding to recruit and hire Americans who want to patriotically serve their country and protect American communities.”

What are the risks of joining ICE?

The Department of Homeland Security reports a staggering 830% surge in assaults against ICE agents, driven in part by ongoing riots and protests nationwide, including a significant uptick in the Los Angeles area last month.

On its recruitment website, ICE directly addresses the risks of the job under the FAQ section titled “How dangerous is the work?”

The agency acknowledges the inherent dangers, stating, “ICE law enforcement officers should expect a certain level of risk when performing their duties; however, they are expertly trained and every precaution is taken by ICE when it comes to protecting its officers' well-being.”

Internet reacts to DHS ending age cap for ICE agent hiring

The video of Kristi Noem announcing the end of the age cap for ICE agent hiring quickly went viral, drawing thousands of reactions across social media platforms. The public response was sharply divided, with comments ranging from harsh criticism to enthusiastic support.

One user slammed the move, writing, “Scraping the bottom of the barrel, that’s pathetic and dangerous.”

Another added, “Recruitment must be going poorly.”

Others mocked the idea, with one person joking, “Wow, imagine getting arrested by an ICE grandpa! 😁”

But not all reactions were negative. Some users praised the decision, calling it smart and forward-thinking. “Very smart idea,” one user posted, while another said, “Awesome, that’s great news! More experienced officers are a plus.”

Another comment read, “Smart move. Experience should matter more than age. Keeps our borders secure with the best talent, no matter their age.”

Some users highlighted the potential financial and patriotic appeal. “Imagine being 18, joining ICE, getting a $50k bonus, and getting to send illegals home. That's freaking sick,” one person said.

Others celebrated the decision with enthusiastic approval, posting comments like “This is incredible 👏👍” and “Excellent!! We gotta get these illegals home!!!”

A more measured take came from one user who wrote, “That's an interesting move! Expanding opportunities can bring in diverse experiences.”

An independent journalist,Tina Vasquez, wrote on Bluesky, "What could possibly go wrong?"

Author Patrick S Tomlinson tweeted, "ICE opening up recruiting to teenagers because they can't find enough adults willing to be their racist storm troopers is some real dystopian s**t."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.