WASHINGTON — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is facing pushback from some of its law enforcement partners after sending recruitment emails to deputies in agencies that participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, NBC News reported.
The backlash comes as ICE seeks to rapidly expand its workforce by 10,000 agents using funds from the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The recruitment emails, which offered $50,000 signing bonuses and up to $60,000 in student loan repayment, targeted officers from agencies that already assist ICE under the program, according to the report. The messages praised their experience and urged them to apply for full-time federal positions.
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The approach has drawn criticism from several sheriffs and law enforcement officials who say ICE’s tactics risk undermining relationships built through years of partnership.
“We’re their force multipliers, and this is the thanks we get helping them do their job?” said Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd, who publicly called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to apologize. “Kristi Noem needs to get on her big girl pants and do what’s right.”
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida also voiced frustration, stating, “ICE actively trying to use our partnership to recruit our personnel is wrong, and we have expressed our concern to ICE leadership.”
The National Sheriffs’ Association echoed those concerns, with Executive Director Jonathan Thompson calling the recruitment effort “bad judgment” that could erode trust.
“We’re all in the same boat. And you just don’t treat friends or partners like this,” Thompson said, adding that more than a dozen agencies had contacted the association to express similar concerns. He plans to send a formal complaint to ICE.
In a statement provided to NBC News, a senior DHS official defended the campaign.
“ICE is recruiting law enforcement, veterans, and other patriots who want to serve their country… including our 287(g) partners who have already been trained and have valuable law enforcement experience.”
Not all law enforcement leaders oppose the effort. Sheriffs in some smaller jurisdictions, such as Terrell County and Goliad County in Texas, expressed support, acknowledging they cannot compete with federal pay and benefits.
Goliad County Sheriff Roy Boyd noted that state and federal agencies routinely recruit from his office, adding, “We can’t compete with their salaries.”
