Fueled by $100 billion windfall, ICE rushes to hire 5,000 more deportation officers

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to hire up to 5,000 additional agents, primarily deportation officers, expanding its workforce by 17 percent.
• The agency previously expanded its staff from 10,000 to more than 22,000 agents after Congress provided more than $100 billion in expanded funding under President Trump .
• ICE is currently managing a vetting backlog of nearly 7,500 recruits who are awaiting full background checks while working in limited capacities.
• An internal official warned that rushed recruitment and reduced vetting standards place the agency at risk of federal rule violations and insider compromise.
• Department of Homeland Security officials said the proposed hires stem from new funding and insisted they will maintain strict background check standards.

IN FULL

ICE wants to hire another 5,000 new agents to help deport more migrants