Concerns Grow Over ICE Misconduct as Agency Expands

Thu Feb 12 2026 00:50:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With a rapid increase in staff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement faces scrutiny over various incidents of abuse and misconduct amongst its employees, raising alarms about accountability.

Since 2020, two dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees and contractors have been charged with offenses including corruption, abuse, and misuse of authority. Experts warn that with ICE's rapid expansion and empowered tactics for deportation, such incidents are likely to increase. The agency asserts that it takes allegations of misconduct seriously and maintains rigorous vetting of new hires from existing law enforcement roles.

Since 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has faced significant scrutiny, with at least two dozen employees and contractors being charged with various crimes ranging from corruption to physical and sexual abuse, according to an Associated Press review.

Despite claims from Department of Homeland Security officials that misconduct within the agency is not widespread, experts warn that the recent funding boost—$75 billion earmarked to hire more agents and increase detentions—could result in more abuses, especially as the agency has nearly doubled its workforce to 22,000 in just under a year.

Former officials recall alarming patterns of misconduct similar to those seen within the Border Patrol. The rapid growth of ICE presents unique challenges in oversight, especially given the immense power granted to agents over vulnerable populations.

ICE's Expansion Risks Increased Misconduct

Since the last wave of hiring, injustices have already emerged, reminiscent of previous incidents in other enforcement agencies. With ICE’s own recent history of misconduct including sexual abuse allegations, experts fear incidents of violence and corruption may escalate as operational pressures mount.

The agency's scrutiny now includes numerous arrests, with notable charges against personnel involved in serious offenses, including assault and sexual misconduct related to their roles. These are troubling as ICE maintains its narrative of targeting the worst offenders among those they detain, creating an expectation of higher accountability. Yet, reports indicate a recurring theme of employees using their positions for personal gain through corrupt practices.

Moving forward, the agency's leadership insists that professionalism and rigorous background vetting will be key in curbing further misconduct. ICE asserts they take allegations seriously and are working to uphold the integrity of their operations amidst growing fears of misconduct as their operational scale increases.