ICE extends officer training program after backlash over Renee Good and Alex Pretti deaths

WASHINGTON, DC: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is lengthening its officer training program for new officers and mandated an additional "follow-on" curriculum for existing officers following intense scrutiny over the quality of instruction provided during a recently scrapped, shortened hiring process.

This change follows widespread outrage caused by the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents during a crackdown operation in Minneapolis earlier this year.

ICE extends training program under new mandate

According to an internal agency memo obtained by CBS News, ICE will officially extend its core training program for immigration enforcement officers from 42 days curriculum to a more extensive 71-day schedule. 

This expanded period is scheduled to commence in July for recruits stationed at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia.

Furthermore, the agency has mandated an additional "follow-on" curriculum, known as the Advanced Field Officer Training Program, for existing officers who completed the earlier, shorter course.

According to an ICE official, these comprehensive changes are designed to improve officer safety, increase operational efficiency, and ensure rigorous compliance with federal laws and established policies.

Mullin previewed a policy shift away from expedited hiring

The recent overhaul of the training protocol was signaled by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during his appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 2.

Addressing the necessity of these adjustments in light of evolving operational challenges, Secretary Mullin stated, "The training policy is going to change a little bit, because we're going to be doing crowd control and fit today's needs. But all training is always willing to change, back and forth."

This revision marks a notable departure from the expedited hiring and onboarding strategies implemented during the tenure of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which aimed to rapidly scale up the deportation force.

DHS points to surge in assaults to justify training enhancements

Furthermore, in a formal statement to CBS News, the Department of Homeland Security defended the necessity of the updated training, citing an urgent need to protect personnel against escalating threats.

"As our officers continue to face coordinated campaigns of violence against them, including riots outside ICE facilities, sniper attacks, and more than a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, ICE is instituting additional training, including crowd control measures, additional training for high-risk vehicle stops, a live-fire cover course for officer safety, and medical training," the department stated.

DHS emphasized that this instruction will be monitored through online tracking to ensure that personnel are prepared to handle high-stakes environments, noting, "New hires take what they learn at FLETC and apply it to real-life scenarios while on duty, preserving ICE's reputation as one of the most elite law enforcement agencies not only in the U.S., but the entire world."

These enhancements arrive alongside the finalization of a $70 billion funding package passed through the reconciliation process and signed into law by President Trump this week.