As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) scales up to a 22,000-person force, a deep dive into employee records reveals a disturbing side effect of rapid growth: a surge in criminal misconduct. With a $75 billion budget fueling this expansion, experts warn that the agency’s “culture of lawlessness” is reaching a breaking point.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Breakdown of Abuses
- Violence & Sexual Assault: Reports include contractors preying on detainees and officers using excessive force—such as slamming handcuffed individuals into walls—often with little to no immediate internal consequence.
- Corruption & Bribery: Some agents have turned their badges into business opportunities, taking bribes to “lose” deportation files or even stealing synthetic drugs from evidence lockers to sell them for profit.
- Impersonation & Predation: In one of the most extreme cases, a veteran agent used his government-issued vehicle and badge to attempt to solicit a minor under the guise of a “trafficking rescue mission.”
Systemic Issues: Tactics vs. Rights
The review highlights that this isn’t just about a few “bad apples,” but rather a set of systemic tactical choices:
- Illegal Restraints: Continued use of banned chokeholds and the “WRAP” body restraint system to intimidate people during transport.
- Home Invasions: Frequent reports of agents entering private residences without judicial warrants.
- Identity Shrouding: Masked agents regularly refuse to provide names or badge numbers, making it nearly impossible for citizens to report abuses.
The Verdict: History is repeating itself. Critics argue that when you prioritize hiring speed over vetting and “immunity” over accountability, the badge becomes a shield for crime rather than a tool for enforcement.
