EXCLUSIVE — A string of fatal encounters involving federal immigration officers has reignited questions about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.While the Department of Homeland Security and White House have focused on whether to continue traffic stops, the debate inside ICE’s ranks is instead focusing at times on whether the job is even worth doing. In a bizarre turn of events, officers who spoke with the Washington Examiner this week said morale is lower under President Donald Trump than it was during the Biden administration.Current ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, as well as retired senior ICE officials still dialed into daily operations, said the White House’s approach to immigration enforcement may prove detrimental to its mass deportation operation because it puts new recruits on the street who, sources claimed, were not adequately trained. Sources additionally say that officers have burnt out while working overtime month after month — all on top of functioning in an already tense and dangerous environment, likening the situation to a powder keg ready to blow.
One ICE officer hired prior to this administration said “mistakes are made because [officers are] overworked” on top of “pressure” from leadership “to get [new recruits] guns and badges quick.”“We’re being pushed to a breaking point. I don’t know where it will go, but it’s nowhere good,” another officer said.The second ICE officer, who had more than a decade of experience in his role, said this administration had managed to upset some agency employees who celebrated Trump’s 2024 electoral win.“Many on the right will think this is an attack on Trump,” he said. “I voted for Trump this time around. I believe in immigration enforcement. But man, it’s so disorganized and chaotic. I’ve talked to many officers who said that at least [former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas] showed appreciation by giving us admin leave.”The first officer said requests for time off were regularly refused or canceled after initially being approved. “No one is happy. If you hear Tom Homan saying, ‘Morale’s stronger than ever,’ I say, ‘No, it’s not. No, it’s not.’ I see it. I’ve been out in the field. I see it. I’ve seen senior officers quit,’” the first officer said.
