At least two dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees and contractors have been charged with various crimes since 2020, according to a review by The Associated Press. These wrongful actions encompass a range of serious offenses including patterns of physical and sexual abuse, corruption, and misuse of authority.
While many of these cases occurred prior to Congress's vote last year to allocate $75 billion to ICE for increased hiring and detainment, experts contend that the incidence of such misconduct could accelerate due to the influx of new employees empowered to employ aggressive tactics to deport individuals.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that instances of misconduct are not widespread within the agency, asserting that ICE 'takes allegations of misconduct by its employees extremely seriously' and that most new hires come with prior law enforcement experience.
However, the exponential growth of ICE and its unprecedented mission to deport millions has raised concerns about the immense power wielded by its officers over vulnerable populations, potentially leading to abuses. Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske expressed worries that the agency might experience similar issues to those seen in the Border Patrol after its rapid expansion, which was marred by corruption and abuse.
Recent reports indicate that arrests of ICE personnel have posed significant challenges for the agency, which has branded many individuals they deport as the 'worst of the worst' based on their criminal histories. Incidents involving sexual misconduct and violent behavior have frequently surfaced. For instance, an ICE contractor in Louisiana pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a detainee, while two Minnesota ICE employees faced charges related to sexual misconduct involving minors.
Charges involving corruption have also emerged; a deportation officer in Houston was indicted on bribe accusations, while two investigators in Utah were sentenced for stealing synthetic drugs from government custody for profit.
This surge in misconduct cases raises critical questions about the oversight and accountability mechanisms in place at ICE as its workforce expands rapidly.
