Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has become the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the United States, with a staggering budget of $85 billion. This substantial increase, from a mere $6 billion a decade ago, is largely attributed to the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Funding Growth and Historical Context
Just ten years ago, ICE’s budget was significantly lower than other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Its funding surged during President Trump’s second term, benefiting from a bill passed in July 2025 that dramatically increased its resources.
Prior to this windfall, ICE’s budget hovered around $10 billion for many years. During the Obama administration, for example, Congress approved nearly $6 billion for ICE in 2015, which was almost $1 billion less than requested. However, by 2025, the agency’s budget had skyrocketed, becoming larger than the budgets of all other federal law enforcement agencies combined.
ICE’s Expanding Role and Criticism
ICE is now the leading agency in enforcing stricter immigration controls under President Trump’s initiatives. This heightened profile has led to increasing scrutiny of the agency’s tactics, including reports of aggressive detentions and recent incidents resulting in fatalities.
Migration Trends and Funding Impact
ICE’s rapid growth in funding has coincided with fluctuating migrant encounters at the U.S. border. Under the previous administration, encounters with migrants surged dramatically. However, these numbers decreased due to pandemic-related policies. By 2023, the number exceeded 3.2 million after the reinstatement of immigration pathways under President Biden.
With Trump’s return to the presidency in 2025, ICE’s role has expanded further, with ambitious targets set to deport one million individuals annually. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has also allocated a notable $45 billion to enhance ICE’s immigration detention capabilities, enabling the agency to house up to 100,000 individuals daily.
Hiring Initiatives and Workforce Expansion
In response to its increased budget, ICE has embarked on a significant hiring spree. The agency doubled its workforce from 10,000 to 22,000 agents within a year. This recruitment drive attracted over 220,000 applications in 2025, facilitated by lucrative incentives, including signing bonuses of up to $50,000 and student loan repayment assistance of up to $60,000.
ICE is actively seeking deportation officers in at least 25 U.S. cities, reflecting its ongoing efforts to bolster its team. Starting salaries for these positions range between $51,632 and $84,277, depending on experience and location.
Future Implications
With the impending expiration of ICE’s base funding set for the end of January, discussions are rising among Congress about its operational changes. Concerns have emerged over increasing mortality rates in ICE custody, with multiple deaths reported in late 2025 and early 2026.
Support for ICE’s enhanced funding is echoed by some advocacy groups. They argue that the funding increase corresponds directly with the agency’s expanded mandate. However, critics highlight that these financial resources are predominantly allocated toward enforcement, neglecting crucial aspects of the immigration system, such as hearings and legal reviews.
This furnishing of substantial resources to ICE signifies a notable shift in U.S. immigration policy, emphasizing enforcement and deportation over comprehensive immigration reform.
