Fact check: What is the starting salary for an ICE agent in 2025?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, ICE deportation officers receive starting salaries between $49,739 and $89,528 per year, depending on experience and education ^{[1] [2]}. This salary range was specifically reported as current for July 2025, making it the most relevant answer to the question about 2025 starting salaries.

In addition to base salaries, ICE is offering substantial recruitment incentives including:

• Maximum $50,000 signing bonuses for new recruits ^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}
• Student loan repayment and forgiveness options ^{[5] [3] [7]}
• 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) specifically for HSI Special Agents ^{[3] [7]}
• Enhanced retirement benefits ^{[3] [7]}

The recruitment efforts appear to be part of a significant hiring spree, with ICE receiving over 100,000 applications from prospective agents ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses solely on starting salary without considering the broader context of ICE's aggressive recruitment campaign. Several important factors are missing:

• ICE has removed age limits for new recruits, suggesting potential staffing challenges that require expanded eligibility criteria ^[7]
• The agency is specifically targeting former federal workers with special incentives, including signing bonuses split over three years ^[4]
• Immigration experts warn that rapid hiring could come at a price, potentially compromising quality standards in the rush to fill positions ^[6]

The substantial signing bonuses and benefits package suggests ICE may be struggling to attract qualified candidates at current salary levels, indicating the base salary alone may not be competitive enough to meet staffing needs.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself contains no misinformation or bias - it's a straightforward factual inquiry. However, the question's narrow focus on starting salary could be misleading if used without context, as it omits the significant additional compensation through bonuses and benefits that substantially increase total compensation packages.

The recruitment materials emphasize removing "murderers, gang members, pedophiles, and terrorists" ^[3], which represents politically charged language that frames the role in specific ideological terms rather than neutral law enforcement duties.