Fact check: What is the average duration of ICE agent training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Program?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, ICE agent training duration at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Program varies depending on the specific role and program:

• ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) deportation officers attend a 20-week basic training at FLETC ^[1]
• HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) special agents complete six months of basic criminal investigator and special agent training ^[1]
• The Basic Immigration Enforcement Training Program (BIETP) lasts 16 weeks, plus an additional 25-day Spanish-language course ^[2]
• The ICE-D program is a 13-week integrated basic training program at FLETC, with an additional 5 weeks for the DRO Spanish Language Training Program (SLTP), totaling 18 weeks ^[3]

The training duration ranges from approximately 13-20 weeks for basic programs, with HSI special agents requiring the longest training period at six months.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes there is a single "average duration" for all ICE agent training, but the analyses reveal that ICE operates multiple distinct training programs for different roles ^{[1] [3]}. The question lacks specificity about:

• Different ICE divisions: ERO deportation officers and HSI special agents have completely different training requirements and durations ^[1]
• Program variations: The BIETP, ICE-D, and other specialized programs have different timeframes ^{[2] [3]}
• Additional training components: Some programs include mandatory language training that extends the total duration ^{[2] [3]}

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that could lead to misinformation by suggesting there is a single standardized training duration for all ICE agents. This oversimplification ignores the fact that ICE encompasses multiple specialized roles with distinct training requirements ^[1].

The question's framing as seeking an "average duration" could mislead readers into believing all ICE agents receive identical training, when in reality ERO deportation officers and HSI special agents have fundamentally different training programs lasting different amounts of time ^[1]. This lack of specificity in the original question could result in incomplete or misleading information being disseminated about ICE training standards.