Report says applicants who can 'barely read or write' are accepted as Noem rushes to strengthen ICE's members

The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, is accelerating the recruitment of ICE agents, leading to reports that individuals with minimal literacy skills are being accepted. The initiative aims to hire 10,000 new deportation officers by the end of the year, but sources suggest this goal may be compromising standards.

According to an investigation by the Daily Mail, some applicants struggle with basic reading and writing. We have candidates failing open-book tests and others who can barely read or write English, a DHS official said.

In an effort to enlarge the applicant pool, DHS has removed age restrictions for ICE agents and shortened the training program to six weeks to get recruits into the field more quickly. All candidates are still required to pass medical, drug, and physical fitness evaluations.

However, sources report that some recruits attend the training academy in Georgia before their drug tests are finalized. One DHS official noted, We even had a 469lb man sent to the academy whose doctor declared him completely unfit for physical activity. Previous reports have also indicated recruits failing drug tests or having disqualifying criminal records while already in training.

Incidents cited include a recruit requesting to skip class for a court appearance related to a gun charge. Despite these concerns, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that most hires are experienced law enforcement officers, representing over 85% of new recruits, and that all recruits undergo medical, fitness, and background screening.

McLaughlin added that the department received over 175,000 applications from individuals identifying as patriotic Americans.

This scrutiny of ICEs hiring process comes amid broader criticism of federal agents field tactics. Recent judicial rulings and investigations are addressing the use of force in protests and other enforcement actions, including incidents in Chicago and Colorado where agents actions have prompted legal and public attention.

Analysis: DHS Hiring Surge Raises Questions on Standards

The Department of Homeland Security’s push to recruit 10,000 new ICE agents by year-end is clearly ambitious, but reports indicate that this rapid expansion may be compromising fundamental qualifications. Sources suggest that some applicants exhibit minimal literacy and struggle with basic reading and writing, raising concerns about operational readiness.

While DHS has removed age restrictions and shortened training to six weeks, the approach appears to prioritize quantity over quality. Incidents such as recruits attending the academy before completing drug tests, or individuals medically unfit for physical activity entering training, point to gaps in the screening process. These cases, though not representative of all recruits, highlight vulnerabilities in enforcement preparedness.

DHS maintains that over 85% of new hires are experienced law enforcement officers and that standard medical, fitness, and background checks are applied. Nevertheless, the combination of high application numbers and accelerated onboarding creates a challenging balance between meeting staffing targets and maintaining professional standards.

As judicial scrutiny of ICE operations increases, this hiring strategy may attract further attention. Ensuring that recruits meet basic competencies will be critical to uphold agency effectiveness and public trust in federal enforcement actions.

Sources:

• Noem’s rush to bolster ICE’s members means applicants who can ‘barely read or write’ are being accepted, report says