WASHINGTON, D.C. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement hired at least 19 officers with significant misconduct, criminal or employment red flags during its rapid expansion under President Donald Trump, according to a Washington Post investigation of leaked Department of Homeland Security records.
The Post reviewed roughly 300 newly hired officers and found five tied to prior use-of-force incidents, five named in lawsuits that ended in settlements, and at least six who had been fired, decertified or resigned while facing dismissal.
Among them was a former Detroit officer involved in a fatal shooting that led to a $2.5 million settlement, a former New York detective who pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars in champagne, and recruits disciplined for dishonesty or threatening conduct.
Former DHS Inspector General John Roth told the Post that some of the conduct described should disqualify recruits from carrying a federal badge and firearm.
The findings add to earlier concerns about ICE’s accelerated hiring drive. A whistleblower previously alleged the agency hired some recruits before completing basic fingerprint and identity checks, while the Post separately found that ICE cut more than 40% of its basic training program during the expansion.
DHS defended its process, saying ICE follows required vetting rules and that some recruits may begin under temporary status while background investigations remain pending.
The 19 cases represent only a small share of the roughly 12,000 officers DHS says it hired, but they raise serious questions about whether the administration’s push for speed came at the expense of adequate screening.
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