This week, the Deputy Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent out a recruitment email that, well, hasn’t sat too well with some local officials. They feel like their department is being targeted—basically poached—especially when the message seems aimed at sheriff’s deputies.
According to what’s been reported, President Trump had earmarked a substantial $46 billion for hiring around 10,000 new ICE officers and staff as part of his “big, beautiful bill.” But ICE Deputy Director Madison Xiahan is seemingly focusing on local law enforcement to fill these roles. There’s an existing 287(g) contract that lets local departments collaborate with federal immigration enforcement, which complicates things a bit.
In the email obtained by News Nation, Xiahan suggested that local law enforcement might want to consider joining ICE “at a critical time in our country.”
Xiahan emphasized, “This is more than a job. It is a continuation of your service to our country and an opportunity to work with dedicated experts at the forefront of national security.” Interestingly, the email, sent from an account dubbed “Join the Mission,” promises a $10,000 bonus for new recruits celebrating their fifth anniversary, though it seems you’ll need to wait five years to actually receive that bonus.
The recruitment email also points interested applicants to the ICE employment website, where there are additional incentives, like up to $60,000 for student loan repayments, among other offerings.
The website even makes a bold claim: “America is being invaded by criminals and predators. We need you to put them out.”
Concerns Over Impact on Local Sheriff’s Departments
Despite some cooperation between local and federal agencies due to the 287(g) agreement, many sheriffs are still feeling the strain, with some departments struggling to keep staff amid what they perceive as aggressive recruitment by ICE.
Jonathan Thompson, who leads the National Sheriff’s Association, expressed concern, saying, “It was a bad decision to cause improved relationship erosion recently.” He stressed the need for local agencies and federal partners to maintain good relationships.
Grady Judd, Sheriff of Polk County in Florida, echoed similar sentiments, feeling that his deputies, who have helped ICE significantly, are being overshadowed by the federal agency’s recruitment push. He stated quite pointedly, “Do you appreciate this for helping them do their job?” and criticized Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem for allowing this kind of recruitment strategy to unfold.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from News Nation.
The email seemed aimed at officers aware of their critical role in community safety while completing federal law. It also highlighted how their experiences could be invaluable to this mission.
Mixed Reactions from Texas Sheriffs
On the flip side, some sheriffs aren’t exactly in agreement with the complaints. For example, Sheriff Sadeus Cleebrand from Terrell County, Texas, didn’t quite understand the backlash against ICE. He anticipates that the Border Patrol will feel a greater impact from recruitment pushes than departments like his own.
Cleveland mentioned that he’s encouraged his deputies to pursue federal job opportunities, seeing them as more desirable than just street-level work and requiring less training. He noted that at least one of his deputies is already interested in an ICE position and has no issues with the incentives offered.
Still, Cleveland recognizes that he might be among the few sheriffs who aren’t bothered by the recruitment efforts, even though there’s a risk of losing experienced staff. He concluded with a thoughtful remark on leadership: “As a leader, you need to look after your people, even if it might make you lose them.”
