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In an effort to recruit more ICE agents, the Department of Homeland Security has dropped age restrictions for new hires.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, ICE recently got a shitload of new funding thanks to President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which allocated an additional $30 billion for ICE recruitment and operational expansion. This financial boost comes as Trump aggressively ramps up his illegal immigration removal agenda, which has long been a centerpiece of his domestic policy. Initially hindered by legal challenges and opposition in federal courts, ICE now faces fewer roadblocks due to recent court decisions and new executive directives, clearing the way for mass deportation efforts to resume at scale.

What’s going on now: During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that they eliminated age limits for new hires at ICE, as the agency pushes to rapidly expand its workforce. “We no longer have a cap on how old you can be,” Noem said. “You can be 18, sign up for ICE, and join us and be a part of it. We’ll get you trained and ready to be equipped to go out on the streets and help protect families.” Previously, ICE required applicants to be between 21 and 37 years old for criminal investigator roles, and up to 40 for deportation officer positions. Under the new policy, the age ceiling is completely removed, dramatically widening the applicant pool as the agency seeks to add 10,000 new agents.

The move is part of a broader hiring blitz fueled by new ICE funding from Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Alongside removing age restrictions, the agency is offering substantial incentives to attract applicants, including signing bonuses of up to $50,000, student loan forgiveness programs, and improved retirement benefits.

Noem says these incentives have resulted in over 80,000 applications being submitted in the first week of their hiring campaign.

This all comes as ICE’s aggressive recruitment campaign has ignited tensions with local law enforcement agencies across the country, where sheriffs accuse the Department of Homeland Security of “poaching” their workforce.