ICE Will Restore Full Training for New Agents

ICE Will Expand Agent Training Starting in July

Criticism of Training Persists

DHS Rejects Training Cuts

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, will once again expand the length of training for new deportation agents starting next month, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Wednesday during a congressional hearing.

Why it matters: The decision comes after questions over possible reductions in training standards, as the agency accelerates the hiring of thousands of new agents to strengthen deportation efforts.

During a legislative hearing, Mullin was questioned about changes made to the training program for new recruits.

ICE Agent Training Will Return to 72 Days in July

During House Homeland Security hearing, Sec. Mullin says on ICE training that DHS had to «rewrite the curriculum,» but starting July 1, training will be «back up to the regular standards.» Our story from May: https://t.co/Mm3D8UKZEq

— Myah Ward (@MyahWard) June 3, 2026

The question focused on reports indicating that training had been reduced from 72 to 42 days as part of efforts to speed up staff deployment.

“July 1. We’re bringing it back up. We had to rewrite the curriculum. All training that starts on July 1 will return to the regular standards,” Mullin said.

The official did not respond directly to criticism over the program reduction or explain the specific reasons behind the changes that were implemented.

Accelerated ICE Agent Hiring Raises Questions

ICE agent training restored. Photo Shutterstock

The changes in training occurred as ICE sought to hire and train 10,000 additional deportation agents.

The initiative was promoted after Congress approved a multibillion-dollar funding boost for the agency last summer.

At that time, ICE had approximately 6,500 deportation agents.

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The expansion raised questions about whether the agency was sacrificing training standards to speed up the onboarding of personnel.

Both the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, and ICE have repeatedly rejected those accusations.

However, criticism continued over the past several months.

Ryan Schwank, a former ICE attorney and the official responsible for training new deportation agents, said in February that the training program was “deficient.”

Former Official Accuses Agency of Cutting Training

During a forum organized by Democratic lawmakers, Schwank said the program had been significantly reduced.

According to his testimony, the agency eliminated essential components of the training.

“DHS told the public that new cadets receive all the training they need to perform their duties, that no critical material or standards have been cut,” he said.

“This is a lie. ICE shortened the program and removed so many essential parts that what remains is a dangerous shell,” he added.

ICE and DHS authorities rejected those accusations.

In response, they said recruits continue receiving firearms training, de-escalation tactics, and instruction on the Constitution.

They also maintained that ICE agent training hours were not reduced.

During a visit to ICE training facilities in Georgia in August, acting agency director Todd Lyons acknowledged that adjustments were made to streamline the training process.

However, he insisted that the changes did not weaken the preparation of new agents.

ICE officials added that they expanded training activities to six days a week, incorporated instruction before and after recruits arrived at federal facilities, and eliminated a Spanish-language requirement.