Thousands Flock to ICE Career Expo for $50,000 Signing Bonus and Benefits

Thousands lined up at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) career expo in Arlington, Texas.

September 3, 2025 – Dallas, TX – Thousands of job seekers descended on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on Tuesday for a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) career expo, drawn by a lucrative $50,000 signing bonus and student debt reduction a robust benefits package aimed at bolstering the agency’s workforce. The event, part of a nationwide recruitment push under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda, saw long lines forming before dawn as candidates vied for positions in what ICE is calling its largest hiring surge in a decade.

The expo, hosted in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), offered immediate interviews and on-the-spot job offers for roles ranging from deportation officers to administrative staff. ICE officials reported that over 5,000 attendees registered, with many drawn by the unprecedented signing bonus, which applies to hires committing to at least two years of service in high-demand areas like border security and detention operations. Additional benefits include federal health insurance, retirement plans, and up to $10,000 in relocation assistance for assignments in remote or high-cost regions.

“This is a historic opportunity to serve your country and secure our borders,” said ICE Acting Director Patrick Lechleitner, addressing the crowd. “We’re looking for dedicated Americans ready to uphold the rule of law, and we’re making it worth their while.” The $50,000 bonus, funded through a DHS budget reallocation approved in July 2025, reflects the administration’s push to expand ICE’s workforce amid plans for intensified immigration enforcement, including mass deportation initiatives.

Attendees, ranging from recent college graduates to military veterans and former law enforcement officers, expressed enthusiasm for the financial incentives and job security. “I’ve been out of work for six months, and this bonus could change everything for my family,” said Javier Torres, a 32-year-old Dallas resident and former security guard. Others, like Sarah Nguyen, a 25-year-old criminal justice major, saw the expo as a chance to launch a career in federal service. “The pay, the benefits, the mission—it’s a no-brainer,” she said while waiting for her interview.

The recruitment drive comes as ICE faces a staffing shortfall, with nearly 4,000 vacant positions reported in 2024, exacerbated by high turnover and increased operational demands. The agency aims to hire 10,000 new employees by the end of 2026 to support expanded detention capacity and deportation operations, priorities emphasized by President Trump following his 2025 inauguration. The expo also highlighted new training programs, including advanced border security tactics and cultural sensitivity courses, amid criticism of past ICE practices.

However, the event drew protests outside the convention center, where dozens of immigration advocates decried the hiring push as a precursor to harsher enforcement policies. “This isn’t about jobs; it’s about tearing families apart,” said Maria Lopez, an organizer with the Texas Immigrant Rights Coalition. Demonstrators held signs reading “No to Mass Deportations” and called for reallocating ICE’s budget to community services. Dallas police reported no arrests, but tensions flared as some expo attendees and protesters exchanged heated words.

On X, the event sparked polarized reactions. Posts praising the bonuses and job opportunities trended alongside others condemning the administration’s immigration stance. “ICE offering $50k to do the right thing—secure our borders. Sign me up!” one user wrote. Another countered, “Throwing money at cruelty doesn’t make it right. #AbolishICE.” The debate underscores the divisive nature of ICE’s mission as the agency ramps up recruitment.

ICE officials confirmed that similar expos are planned in Miami, Phoenix, and San Diego over the next three months, with the $50,000 bonus available to all qualifying hires nationwide. Applicants must pass background checks, physical fitness tests, and a six-month training academy. The agency also emphasized diversity in hiring, aiming to increase representation of women and minorities, who currently make up 30% and 45% of its workforce, respectively.

As the expo concluded, ICE reported issuing over 1,200 conditional job offers, with final hiring numbers pending background clearances. For many attendees, the event represented a rare opportunity for economic stability in uncertain times. “This isn’t just a job; it’s a lifeline,” said Marcus Reed, a 41-year-old veteran who received an offer for a deportation officer role. Yet, as the agency expands, the broader implications of its recruitment drive continue to fuel national debate over immigration policy and enforcement.