The recent Republican budget proposal includes troubling elements, with the allocation for ICE, dubbed Trump’s covert operatives, being particularly disturbing. This agency, known for masked agents deploying from unmarked vehicles to apprehend individuals without identification, is slated to receive $29.9 billion. This is part of a broader $170 billion earmarked for immigration and border enforcement, a figure that surpasses the funding for the Marines. Trump has turned the already controversial and bipartisan immigration policies into a weapon against the populace.

However, deploying these funds is proving more challenging than simply passing a law endorsed by Trump through a compliant Republican Congress. ICE has experienced backlash from pro-Trump American sheriffs for attempting to recruit from their departments, demonstrating that simply throwing money at a problem doesn’t necessarily fix it.

Recruitment has been a longstanding issue for ICE, a problem shared by many U.S. law enforcement agencies. A 2019 survey highlighted by the America First Policy Institute revealed that 78% of law enforcement executives reported struggles in hiring qualified candidates. A 2023 report by the Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) labeled the current staffing practices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and ICE as unsustainable. The ongoing difficulty in attracting quality personnel to ICE predates Trump’s use of the agency as his personal guard. The creation of DHS and ICE, now criticized even by figures like Bill Kristol, has clearly been a flawed decision as ICE struggles to recruit without alienating its own criminal investigators.

Despite now having the financial resources to tackle these staffing issues as detailed by the DHS Inspector General, ICE continues to struggle in recruiting personnel willing to accept what has been referred to as “blood money.” The American Prospect recently reported that FEMA employees were abruptly reassigned to ICE, with only a week to comply or face dismissal from civil service. This drastic measure underscores the lack of enthusiasm for positions at ICE.

To attract new agents, ICE has offered inducements such as a $50,000 signing bonus, student debt relief, and initially, bonuses for arrests leading to rapid deportations—though this was quickly withdrawn after exposure by the New York Times. Recently, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced additional incentives including waiving age restrictions for applicants, signaling desperate measures to boost recruitment.

The tactics of drafting FEMA employees and targeting younger recruits reflect ICE’s struggle with an “unsustainable” staffing strategy. The adage that money cannot buy wisdom seems particularly apt as ICE, often viewed by other law enforcement bodies as home to the least competent officers, continues to flounder in its recruitment efforts.