In a world where immigration policies ignite fierce debates, a recent job fair in Provo, Utah, has brought together a diverse group of individuals eager to join the ranks of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On a bright Monday morning, the Utah Valley Convention Center buzzed with activity as people from various backgrounds—veterans, law enforcement personnel, college graduates, and even those who had been let go from federal jobs—gathered to explore career opportunities within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
These hopeful applicants traveled from states like California, Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, and Utah, all with a common goal: to become deportation officers or to work in other capacities within DHS, the agency spearheading President Trump’s aggressive deportation strategy. The administration has set an ambitious target of recruiting 10,000 new personnel for ICE, aiming to deport one million individuals annually. However, achieving this goal poses significant challenges, particularly due to a shortage of staff needed to carry out arrests, investigations, and legal proceedings.
During the recent DHS career expo, NPR interviewed over 30 attendees, revealing that many had already initiated their application processes prior to the event. This career fair marked the first of its kind since Congress allocated funds for recruitment beyond immigration enforcement roles, including positions in the Secret Service, Federal Protective Police, and the Transportation Security Administration—all part of the DHS umbrella. According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, more than 1,500 individuals registered for the event, and 500 tentative job offers were extended, with 370 specifically for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
"Many candidates who attended the expo had already begun their applications and were using the event to complete necessary steps like drug tests and fingerprinting," McLaughlin explained. "The in-person career expo provided a streamlined process for candidates to expedite their hiring."
At the beginning of the year, ICE employed around 20,000 individuals, with 6,000 directly involved in deportation efforts. Recently, the agency reported receiving over 150,000 applications nationwide and issuing 18,000 tentative job offers, although it remains uncertain how many of these candidates will actually start their new roles.
DHS officials have expressed alarm over a reported 1,000% increase in threats against their officers, a statistic that gained renewed attention following a tragic shooting at the Dallas ICE field office, which resulted in one death and two injuries among detained immigrants. In light of these threats, Acting Director Todd Lyons stated that recruitment efforts have not been adversely affected. "There’s a palpable excitement among those who wish to serve, not just in ICE but in federal law enforcement overall, especially during a time when assaults on law enforcement are on the rise," Lyons remarked. "We are witnessing a significant increase in recruitment interest."
To bolster its recruitment campaign, DHS has introduced signing bonuses, removed age restrictions, and even enlisted celebrities like Dean Cain, known for his role as Superman, to encourage applications. Ana Maria Vargas, a 52-year-old correctional officer from Arizona, expressed her desire to become a deportation officer, inspired by Cain’s involvement. "Many of us still want to serve our country, but we often feel lost on how to navigate the application process due to age limits," Vargas noted. She emphasized her commitment to removing individuals she perceives as threats, while also acknowledging the presence of many good people who are in the country illegally.
Andrea Alexander, an attorney from Utah, attended the fair to apply for a position with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, which handles immigration cases in court. She learned about the recruitment efforts through social media posts by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. "I admire Trump and his administration; I believe he is working to save our country," Alexander stated, suggesting that those applying for deportation officer roles should share a similar conviction. However, she also advocated for reforms to facilitate legal immigration, arguing that the current system makes it exceedingly difficult for individuals to immigrate legally.
Another applicant, who preferred to remain anonymous, traveled from Arkansas to apply for a deportation officer position. He identified as politically conservative and was drawn to the job by the hiring bonuses and increased media attention surrounding ICE. "There are far too many illegal immigrants in our country," he asserted, expressing hope that he would have the opportunity to deport individuals if hired.
Among the applicants was Sherrell Pyatt, a former DHS employee who was laid off as part of a broader federal workforce reduction. After months of searching for a new opportunity, she flew from Georgia to Utah, hoping to be reinstated at the agency that let her go. "I want to be evaluated based on my qualifications and experience, but I feel I haven’t been given that chance," Pyatt lamented, as she sought a position in the fraud investigations unit of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. With a decade of federal service under her belt, she believes she deserves priority for rehire, yet finds herself competing against external candidates.
The recruitment fair attracted not only laid-off federal employees but also contractors seeking new opportunities. Eddie, who did not disclose his last name, previously worked as a federal contractor vetting sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children. He shared that his father has been with Homeland Security for 17 years, allowing him to witness the benefits of a career in law enforcement firsthand.
Despite the high turnout at recruitment events, ICE’s hiring strategies have faced criticism from various quarters. Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith described an initial recruitment call to local law enforcement as "unprofessional" and noted that both the Provo fair and a similar event in Texas were met with protests. RJ Hauman, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, expressed support for the administration’s immigration enforcement goals but voiced skepticism about the recruitment campaign. "When recruiting large numbers of qualified candidates, it’s crucial to ensure they reach the finish line," he cautioned, suggesting that instead of merely advertising job openings, the focus should be on enhancing training facilities and streamlining the vetting process to avoid hiring mistakes.
Critics have raised concerns that modifications to hiring requirements, including a shortened training period, could lead to the selection of less experienced candidates. However, ICE maintains that its standards remain intact, asserting that all recruits must still undergo medical screenings, drug tests, and physical fitness evaluations.
For many, working for ICE is simply a job, despite the agency’s controversial reputation. John Heubert, a veteran expecting to retire from the Army next summer, traveled from Georgia to apply for a deportation officer position. "I believe I can make a positive impact in this role. With 23 years of military experience, particularly in detainee operations, I feel well-prepared to transition into civilian life while continuing to serve in a similar capacity," Heubert explained. He emphasized that the politicization of the agency does not deter him from pursuing this career path. "I’m just here to do my job. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do it," he stated.
Alan Richardson, another veteran who attended the expo from Utah, learned about the event through a friend’s LinkedIn post. He expressed a desire to return to federal service, hoping to retire early rather than starting a new career with a state or county agency. "As a law enforcement officer, I enforce the laws as they are written, without letting politics influence my actions. If you want to change the laws, that’s a matter for Congress to address," Richardson remarked, adding that he supports efforts to arrest and deport criminals. "If your employer assigns you a task, you must complete it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but targeting criminals is the primary objective here. It’s unrealistic to think we can deport millions of undocumented individuals."
Eric Garibay, an immigration detention officer, traveled over 12 hours from El Paso, Texas, to attend the fair. Speaking in Spanish, he shared that becoming a border patrol agent has always been his aspiration. "This is a career I chose, and I’m committed to moving forward," he said. When asked about the individuals he would be detaining, he acknowledged the human aspect of the situation, stating, "It’s painful to see. They are people, but at the end of the day, it’s a job."
As the recruitment efforts continue, the conversation surrounding ICE and its role in immigration enforcement remains a hotbed of controversy. What are your thoughts on the current state of immigration enforcement? Do you believe the recruitment strategies are effective, or do they raise more concerns than they solve? Share your opinions in the comments below!
