ICE Recruits Retired Officers With $50K Bonuses To Expand Immigration Enforcement Nationwide

The Trump administration is aggressively expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations by recruiting retired federal law enforcement officers through a campaign called "Operation Return to Mission." ICE is offering incentives such as up to $50,000 in signing bonuses, a regular salary, and continued pension payments through a Dual Compensation Waiver, allowing retirees to collect both retirement and current pay. This recruitment drive is part of a broader effort funded by the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which allocates billions of dollars to hire 10,000 new ICE agents and double detention capacity to 100,000 beds. The Department of Homeland Security has launched a new website and recruitment campaign featuring the iconic Uncle Sam image, appealing to patriotism and emphasizing the need to deport criminals and uphold immigration laws. Despite the generous financial incentives, some retirees express concern about the violent rhetoric directed at ICE and its implications for their safety. Overall, the campaign underscores the administration's focus on ramping up immigration enforcement by leveraging experienced personnel and significant federal funding.