2 days ago
ICE Taps FEMA Employees to Help Ramp Up Deportation Blitz
The Department of Homeland Security has moved to forcibly reassign a subset of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), threatening them with termination if they do not agree.
According to an email obtained by The American Prospect, a 'select' number of probationary employees at FEMA were informed that they would be reassigned to positions 'located at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office (ICE).'
'You will receive the position description and information about new position separately,' the email continued. 'You may either accept or decline this MDR within seven (7) calendar days from your receipt of this letter. … If you choose to decline this reassignment, or accept but fail to report for duty, you may be subject to removal from Federal service.'
In a statement to The Washington Post, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the authenticity of the email and the decision to bolster ICE operations through FEMA. 'Through the One Big Beautiful Bill, DHS is adopting an all-hands-on-deck strategy to recruit 10,000 new ICE agents,' she said. 'To support this effort, select FEMA employees will temporarily be detailed to ICE for 90 days to assist with hiring and vetting … Their deployment will NOT disrupt FEMA's critical operations. FEMA remains fully prepared for Hurricane Season.'
The Post reported that dozens of FEMA employees have been reassigned.
The move comes as ICE embarks on a nationwide recruitment effort aimed at intensifying its already brutal crackdown on undocumented immigration. As the agency attempts to access more funds and personnel, FEMA has become a target for ransacking. Last month, DHS reallocated $608 million in FEMA funds to various states for the construction and expansion of migrant detention centers.
DHS is now taking personnel from the disaster relief agency while appealing to the public to join its ranks. DHS posted to social media on Wednesday that prospective ICE agents would no longer be required to hold an undergraduate degree to apply.
'Serve your country! Defend your culture! No undergraduate degree required!' the post read. The agency also announced that it would be removing the department's age cap for applicants in its quest to hire 10,000 new agents, prompting White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller to encourage prospective applicants to 'fulfill your destiny.'
In a statement to reporters, Trump Border Czar Tom Homan elaborated on the new policy. 'You got a lot of patriots, I think the age limits are decades old,' he said. 'If someone comes in and they're 55, maybe they can't carry a badge and gun but they can certainly do administrative duties.'
'I'm 63 and I would love to put a badge and gun on and go do these things,' he added.
As previously reported by Rolling Stone, ICE has listed job openings in over 25 cities across the country. 'Are you ready to defend the homeland?' one posting read. 'Launch a dynamic and rewarding career as a Deportation Officer with Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) at ICE! Join a dedicated team safeguarding U.S. borders and upholding immigration laws, playing a key role in defending our nation.'
Quasi-celebrities are joining in on the recruitment effort, as well. In a video posted on social media, washed up Superman actor Dean Cain encouraged his followers to 'join ICE' to 'help save America.' Cain seemingly forgot that his claim to fame is his portrayal of a literal alien often at odds with the federal government.
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