Concerns Rise Over Misconduct Among ICE Personnel as Agency Expands

Thu Feb 12 2026 01:08:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A review highlights alarming incidents of abuse and misconduct among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees, coinciding with the agency's significant expansion and hiring efforts.

Since 2020, more than two dozen ICE employees and contractors have faced criminal charges related to physical and sexual abuse, corruption, and misuse of authority. Experts warn that with the agency's rapid growth—recently doubling its workforce to 22,000—instances of such misconduct may increase. The current environment surrounding ICE, marked by aggressive deportation tactics, has raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable populations in their custody.

A growing number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees and contractors have been charged with serious offenses since 2020, including sexual and physical abuse, leading to serious allegations being levied against the agency.

A review conducted by the Associated Press has revealed that since the $75 billion funding approval by Congress last year to hire more agents and detain more individuals, the misconduct cases noted could further escalate as new employees may exhibit abusive behaviors due to their powerful positions.

The report emphasizes the unprecedented scale of ICE’s operations and the unique vulnerabilities of the populations they serve. Concerns have emerged that the agency's rapid expansion—recently doubling its staff to 22,000—could parallel instances of misconduct seen in other law enforcement agencies in the past.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asserted that misconduct is not widespread within ICE while reassuring that employee backgrounds are thoroughly vetted. Nevertheless, the realities on the ground tell a different story; charges against ICE personnel highlight not only patterns of violence but also corruption involving bribes and gross abuses of power.

The AP has catalogued numerous incidents where ICE officials allegedly abused their authority—from physical violence against detainees to financial wrongdoing. Specific cases include an ICE contractor who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a detainee in Louisiana and another deportation officer charged with accepting cash bribes from bail bondsmen.

As the agency's oversight challenges grow with an increasing number of detainees—now near 70,000—the landscape suggests a troubling picture for both the agency and the vulnerable populations it serves. One must consider whether the actions being scrutinized are indicative of a systemic issue due to a rapid increase in workforce numbers.