ICE Force Grows by 120% and Shakes Immigrant Communities

• ICE Grows and Doubles Its Force
• 12,000 Agents Hired
• Immigration Operations Expand

According to the EFE news agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement increased its operational force by 120% after hiring 12,000 new immigration agents.

With this increase, ICE will reach a total of 22,000 agents across the United States, more than double the previous workforce of approximately 10,000.

The number of new hires exceeded the initial target of 10,000 agents set by the administration of President Donald Trump.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that the recruitment process received nearly 220,000 applications nationwide.

Record Budget Drives ICE Expansion

12,000 NEW @ICEgov officers and agents to start the New Year.

More arrests.
More deportations.
More security brought to the Homeland.

The Homeland will be Defended. pic.twitter.com/a2eNbznhSw

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 5, 2026

The expansion of ICE was made possible by funds allocated through the so-called “Big and Beautiful Bill” signed by President Trump.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, this legislation will allow ICE to operate with an estimated budget of $75 billion.

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Specialists cited by DHS indicated that this level of funding would make ICE the largest security agency in the United States.

The figure surpasses the budgets of nearly all the world’s armies, according to officially released information, underscoring the scale of the ICE expansion by 120 percent.

ICE Grows 120% Amid Allegations

DHS detailed that thousands of the new agents are already deployed nationwide, actively supporting immigration operations.

The approved funds would allow the agency to reach a pace of up to one million deportations per year, according to previous estimates by the Department itself.

To encourage recruitment, DHS removed age limits for ICE applicants in August.

The hiring surge comes amid complaints from human rights organizations alleging abuses during immigration arrests and detentions.

Immigration Context and Scope of ICE Expansion

12,000 newly hired ICE officers are deploying to communities across our nation.

Thanks to @POTUS Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, our ICE workforce is up 120% to support enforcement operations, arrests, investigations, and removals.

The patriotic men and women of @ICEgov are…

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 5, 2026

The growth of ICE’s force takes place within the framework of an immigration policy focused on strengthening enforcement operations, arrests, investigations, and removal proceedings nationwide.

The expansion of personnel aims to increase the agency’s operational capacity in communities across the country, according to DHS.

New financial and human resources reinforce ICE’s role as the central pillar of the immigration strategy promoted by the Trump administration.

This growth also intensifies public debate, particularly due to allegations of abuse and the direct impact of operations on immigrant communities tied to the ICE expansion.

Increase in Operations and Fear in Immigrant Communities

The expansion of ICE has increased its operational presence in communities throughout the United States, with more agents deployed for arrests, investigations, and removal proceedings.

Thousands of new officers are already actively participating in immigration operations, expanding both the reach and frequency of agency actions.

Human rights advocacy organizations have reported that these operations directly affect immigrants and entire communities where detentions intensify.

The rise in ICE activity has generated concern and fear among immigrant families, especially amid reports of arrests and excessive use of force.