California’s unique culture and geography create a lot of challenges for special agents working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The state’s 140-mile border with Mexico and its 840 miles of coastline have made California a Mecca for international drug traffickers.
<!- mfunc search_btn ->
<!- /mfunc search_btn -> <!- mfunc feat_school ->
Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
<!- /mfunc feat_school ->
In addition, California has the largest number of illegal immigrants in the country. Estimates from 2010 place their numbers at 2.55 million, comprising some 6.8% of the state’s population.
Requirements to Become an ICE Agent in California
ICE has high standards for those who seek to join the agency as criminal investigators, also known as special agents. Having law enforcement and criminal investigative experience can help to meet the agency’s strict education requirements.
At least a year of graduate study is required unless the applicant meets the following standards for their bachelor’s degree:
- Ranking in the top third of their class
- Having been elected to a national honor society
- Possessing a GPA that includes either:
- A B in all courses (overall or the last two years)
- A B+ in all courses related to the major (overall or in the last two years)
Additional standards include being a US. citizen and being less than 37 years old. The latter requirement can be waived for veterans. When they are ready, applicants should apply for positions when they are posted on the federal website for US government jobs.
Once applicants have been screened, including undergoing a thorough background check, those accepted are sent to the Federal Law Enforcement Center in Georgia. They are paid for 22 weeks of training that has a variety of aspects, including the following:
- Academics
- Firearms proficiency
- Physical conditioning
California residents who want to learn more about how to become an ICE agent should contact the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) for their region. Given California’s size, there are three ICE SAC offices in the state. Their locations and phone numbers are listed below:
- Los Angeles: 562-624-3800
- San Diego: 619-744-4600
- San Francisco: 415-844-5455
ICE Arrests in California
ICE agent careers in California involve making a number of high profile arrests and thwarting a diverse array of criminal activities.
Stopping Drug Traffickers – Drug trafficking is a problem throughout California. In particular, Los Angeles serves as a distribution point for drugs to be shipped across the U.S. While the local production of marijuana and methamphetamine is common in California, international cartels are also highly active in the state. As border enforcement efforts have been tightened up, drug smugglers have found alternate ways to transport drugs from Mexico into the U.S.
One way that drug smugglers have been bringing multi-ton quantities of drugs into the US is through tunnels in the San Diego area. Between 2006 and 2013, eight large scale tunnels have been identified in that area alone. ICE is part of the San Diego Tunnel Task Force and helped to seize over eight tons of marijuana along with hundreds of pounds of cocaine from a massive tunnel in October 2013.
Arresting Criminal Aliens – California is frequently a haven for criminals from other countries. ICE agents have been aggressively pursuing criminals who are in the state illegally. In November and December of 2013 alone, ICE deported three murder suspects from Mexico in two separate cases.
Stopping Fraud – Criminal investigators for ICE pursue a variety of fraud cases in California. One of the more prominent arrests was that of a Nigerian type scammer who claimed to be the son of the president of Congo. He defrauded victims of almost $2 million and pled guilty in September 2013.
Stopping Human Traffickers – As border crossings from Mexico into California have become more difficult, human traffickers have stepped up their efforts and smuggle people into the county. In addition, the abuse of domestic workers is a persistent problem in the state.
One prominent case in July 2013 was that of a Saudi princess who had brought a Saudi national into the country to serve as a domestic worker. The woman was kept prisoner and claims to have been paid $220 a month to work seven days a week.
Back to Top
FAQs
Candidates for agent positions within Immigration and Customs Enforcement must go through a competitive interview process, including an extensive background investigation. Because security is so important for ICE agents, the hiring process can take four months or longer.
How much do ICE agents make in California? ›
As of Jun 10, 2024, the average hourly pay for an Ice Agent in California is $31.72 an hour.
How long is ICE Academy? ›
All new hires of ICE are required to attend 22 weeks of basic training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia.
How long is ICE deportation officer training? ›
They are paid for 22 weeks of training that has a variety of aspects, including the following: Academics. Firearms proficiency. Physical conditioning.
How long does it take for ice to be ready? ›
Ice takes a few hours to freeze
On average, it takes a standard tray of ice cubes about four hours to freeze completely. However, that time can differ greatly depending on a number of factors. For instance, the size and shape of each ice cube can make it freeze much faster or slower.
Is ice a good agency to work for? ›
Do people recommend working at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement? Overall, 65% of employees would recommend working at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to a friend. This is based on 120 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor.
What benefits do ICE agents get? ›
Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules, telework, tuition reimbursem*nt, transportation subsidies, uniform allowance, health and wellness programs and access to fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of training and developmental opportunities.
Are ICE agents federal employees? ›
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE /aɪs/) is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ICE's stated mission is to protect the United States from cross-border crime and undocumented immigration that threaten national security and public safety.
How much is ICE paying? ›
As of Jun 9, 2024, the average hourly pay for an Ice in the United States is $30.92 an hour.
Where does ICE go for training? ›
The DRO Division of the ICE Academy is located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) approximately six miles north of Brunswick, GA at the former Glynco Naval Air Station.
CBP enforces immigration laws at and between the ports of entry, ICE is responsible for interior enforcement and for detention and removal operations, and USCIS adjudicates applications and petitions for immigration and naturalization benefits.
What is the difference between ICE and HSI? ›
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), operating out of 26 principal field offices nationwide and 67 foreign offices in 47 countries.
How hard is it to join ICE? ›
The Department of Homeland Security often looks for those with a history in law enforcement or the military. They also need people with strong technical skills or who speak two or more languages. However, even without these skills, you could still qualify as an ICE agent with the right education.
How much does ICE Immigration make? ›
As of Jun 10, 2024, the average annual pay for an Ice Immigration in California is $67,884 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $32.64 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,305/week or $5,657/month.
Are ICE officers police? ›
ICE is a law enforcement component of DHS. ICE was created in 2003 through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the former U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. ICE has more than 20,000 employees in 400 offices in the U.S. and 46 foreign countries.
Is it hard to get into the Institute of Culinary Education? ›
The Institute of Culinary Education - Pasadena, CA acceptance rate is 100%.
Is it hard to walk on ice? ›
Walking on ice can be a challenging and potentially dangerous task, especially if you are not prepared. Regardless of your age or fitness level, it is important to take precautions to ensure your safety when walking on ice, as falls can lead to serious injuries.
Is it hard to drive on ice? ›
Driving slowly in icy conditions allows you to control the vehicle and maintain traction, decreasing the chance of a slide. If you do lose control, the slower speed of your car increases your chance of regaining traction, slowing the car, and recovering control, in addition to reducing the risk of an accident.
What do you need to qualify for ice HSI? ›
To qualify under Superior Academic Achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.
