The Pentagon is taking action to support immigration enforcement by inviting its civilian workforce to participate in a volunteer force alongside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to reports, the Defense Department sent an email to its almost one million civilian employees, detailing opportunities to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on a temporary basis.
A U.S. defense official confirmed these developments, noting that a memorandum of agreement has been established between DHS and the Department of Defense (DOD). This agreement allows DOD civilians to apply for roles through the USAJOBS portal. The email emphasizes the need for volunteers, stating, “Your country is calling on you to serve at ICE and defend the Homeland,” a sentiment echoed by acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.
As part of this initiative, interested employees might be required to work extensive overtime in challenging conditions. The job postings indicate that deployment sites could include not only border facilities but also sites throughout the U.S. interior. The prospect of austere conditions has raised some concerns among potential volunteers. Compensation for these roles is promising, as ICE and CBP are prepared to cover base salaries, overtime, and travel expenses.
The timing of this recruitment drive is significant. DHS is in the process of hiring an additional 10,000 full-time ICE officers, with over 100,000 applications already submitted. These efforts come in the wake of rising violence against ICE personnel, highlighted by an alarming 830% increase in assaults against agents, according to DHS figures.
Lyons mentioned, “The dedicated men and women of ICE now face unprecedented challenges,” particularly following the Biden administration’s immigration policies. He underscored that new funding enables the recruitment of Americans who want to patriotically serve their country. As the need for border enforcement intensifies, the infusion of civilian employees could provide additional support, giving ICE a better chance to handle the complexities of immigration challenges today.
"*" indicates required fields
