By John Q. Hosedrinker 
ICE officers are experiencing declining morale due to the Trump administration’s prioritization of mass deportations over criminal investigations. This shift has led to pressure to meet quotas, causing officers to focus on civil immigration arrests and making controversial actions. Several officials have expressed concern over the focus on deportation numbers and the potential damage to the agency’s reputation. Despite public support, ICE’s infrastructure is strained, and many officers feel undervalued and are considering quitting.
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Trump loves ICE. Its Workforce Has Never Been So Miserable.
It’s hard not to feel a certain… satisfaction, maybe? Okay, maybe more than a certain amount. The consensus is pretty clear: if ICE agents are feeling miserable, well, that’s probably a good thing. It’s the kind of sentiment that’s practically overflowing. The overwhelming feeling is a lack of sympathy, bordering on outright disdain for the agency and its workforce. It’s a sentiment born from the actions of ICE, the perception of its mission, and the way it’s perceived to operate.
Working for ICE is seen, by many, as a moral failing. It’s a job that, according to the collective voice, involves activities that are morally repugnant. The core criticism is that ICE is tearing families apart, acting without due process, and generally behaving in ways that are reminiscent of the Gestapo. The idea that they are operating as a shadowy secret police force, targeting vulnerable people and carrying out actions that are both inhumane and unconstitutional, is a common thread. The lack of any real sympathy for ICE agents really boils down to the fact that they *choose* to do this job.
The idea that ICE is not about keeping communities safe but is instead focused on deportation numbers is a point of particular anger. Many feel that resources that could be used to fight serious crimes are being diverted towards arresting people who are simply trying to survive. The shift in priorities, the reported focus on arresting “gardeners,” and the abandonment of drug cases and human trafficking investigations are all cited as evidence of this perceived corruption. The narrative often portrays ICE as a tool of a political agenda, rather than an agency dedicated to its stated goals.
The idea that ICE should be dismantled is another prevalent idea. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is seen as a misguided piece of legislation that created redundant agencies and bloated budgets. The suggestion is that the functions of ICE could be handled by existing agencies like the FBI and CBP, without the need for such a controversial and unpopular organization. Many would argue that this would save vast amounts of money while also reducing the potential for abuse.
The anger is often directed not just at the agency but at the individual agents. The sentiment is that the job should be made so miserable that the agents quit en masse. If ICE agents are doing things that resemble what was done in Nazi Germany, they should be ashamed. The people who work for ICE have an ethical obligation to their fellow man. There is a belief that ICE agents are, at best, complicit in acts of cruelty and, at worst, actively enjoying the power and authority they wield.
The perceived lack of accountability is another major issue. The general belief is that ICE agents operate with impunity, without facing consequences for their actions. The idea that these actions can be performed with anonymity, and with more money than ever, is another layer of the issue. It is this sense of impunity that fuels the outrage and the desire for these agents to be held responsible for their actions.
One sentiment is that ICE agents should be ostracized. No one should want to work for ICE. There is a widespread idea that working for ICE is a stain on a person’s character and should lead to consequences in their personal and professional lives. The idea of future employers viewing ICE experience as a red flag, as an instant disqualification, reflects this.
The overall tone is one of intense frustration and moral indignation. The message is loud and clear: the actions of ICE are unacceptable, and the people who carry them out are deserving of public condemnation. The hope seems to be that shame, combined with the very real prospect of a future where they are un-employable, will force a change. The overall tone is one of intense frustration, disappointment, and a belief that ICE is not serving the values it claims to uphold.