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Fact check: What is the average length of service for an ICE agent?

Checked on August 23, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, none of the sources contain specific data about the average length of service for ICE agents. All sources across the three analysis groups consistently report that this information is not available [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

However, the sources do provide some relevant context about ICE employment patterns:

  • Retirement eligibility requirements: ICE special agents and deportation officers can retire at age 50 with at least 20 years of law enforcement service, or at any age with 25 years of service [2]
  • High turnover indicators: There are reports of "hundreds of agents leaving ICE" with sources noting that "anybody who is eligible is departing" [6]
  • Recruitment challenges: ICE has been facing long-standing staffing issues and is actively launching recruiting campaigns with $50,000 signing bonuses to attract new personnel [5]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes that average length of service data for ICE agents is publicly available and easily accessible. However, the analyses reveal several important contextual factors:

  • Workplace conditions affecting retention: ICE law enforcement personnel are experiencing an 830 percent increase in assaults, which could significantly impact how long agents choose to remain in their positions [7]
  • Recent policy changes: The Trump administration has eliminated age limits for ICE agent recruits, potentially changing the demographic profile and service patterns of new hires [1] [3]
  • Institutional staffing crisis: ICE staffing has been described as "long been an issue," suggesting systemic problems with retention that may make average service length data either unavailable or potentially misleading [5]

Government agencies and law enforcement organizations would benefit from not publicizing detailed service length statistics if they reveal high turnover rates, as this could undermine public confidence and recruitment efforts.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question does not contain explicit misinformation, but it carries an implicit assumption that this data exists and is publicly available. The question presupposes that ICE maintains and releases statistics on average agent service length, when the evidence suggests this information is either not tracked, not published, or not easily accessible through standard government sources.

The framing of the question as seeking a specific numerical average may also overlook the more complex reality of ICE employment patterns, including the apparent exodus of experienced agents and the agency's current recruitment difficulties.

Want to dive deeper?
What is the average starting salary for an ICE agent in 2025?
How does the length of service for ICE agents compare to other federal law enforcement agencies?
What are the most common reasons for ICE agents to leave their positions?
Does the length of service for ICE agents impact their eligibility for promotions or specialized training?
How has the average length of service for ICE agents changed since the agency's inception in 2003?