ICE's $50K bonus, recruiting met with mixed sheriff's response

(NewsNation) — A recruiting email sent this week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deputy director is part of a federal hiring blitz of officers, but the promise of a $50,000 signing bonus directed at local sheriff's deputies isn’t sitting well with some officials, who feel their departments are being poached.

More than $46 billion of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” has been allocated to hiring an additional 10,000 ICE officers and employees. But to add manpower, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan is actively targeting local departments with existing 287 (g) contracts with the federal government that allow local officers to cooperate with immigration enforcement efforts.

In the email, which was obtained by NewsNation, Sheahan asks local law enforcement officers to consider joining ICE “during a critical time for our nation.”

Sheahan writes, “This is more than a job; it’s a continuation of your service to our country and an opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals on the front lines of national security.”

The email, which is sent from an ICE email address with the name “Join The Mission,” also promises a $10,000 for a new hire reaching their fifth anniversary. A minimum of five years is required to receive the incentives, the email said.

Deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Madison Sheahan, flanked by Acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, speaks during a news conference at ICE Headquarters, in Washington, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The email also directs potential applicants to a hiring website, which, in addition to the signing bonus, offers the possibility of receiving up to $60,000 in student loan repayment and premium payment.

“America has been invaded by criminals and predators,” the website reads. “We need YOU to get them out.”

ICE recruitment could hurt short-staffed sheriff departments

Despite the immigration enforcement cooperation between local and federal agencies that accompanies the 287 (g) agreement, some sheriffs take issue with ICE zeroing in on some local departments, which in some cases, already face staffing challenges.

“It was bad judgment that will cause an erosion of a relationship that has been improving of late,” Jonathan Thompson, the executive director and CEO of the National Sheriff’s Association, told NBC News. “And it’s going to take some getting over, and it’s going to take leadership at DHS to really take stock, (be)cause, hey, they need state and locals.”

Thompson added: “This is inappropriate behavior of a partner organization. We’re all in the same boat. And you just don’t treat friends or partners like that.”

Grady Judd, the sheriff in Polk County, Florida, told NBC News that he feels disrespected by the federal agency after his deputies served as "force multipliers" in helping ICE carry out federal immigration enforcement.

"This is the thanks we get for helping them do their job?" said Judd, who blamed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for allowing the recruitment to take place.

"Kristi Noem needs to get on her big girl pants and do what's right. She needs to make sure that there's an apology."

A spokeswoman for the Polk County Sheriff's Department did not immediately respond to an email from NewsNation on Friday.

The email targets law enforcement officers who “understand the unique responsibility we carry in protecting our communities and upholding federal law.” It also says that such experience “brings valuable insight and skills to this mission - qualities we need more than ever.”

Texas sheriff says don't blame ICE for staffing woes

Despite the issues that some local sheriffs have with the recruiting pitch, Terrell County, Texas, Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland isn’t among them.

Cleveland told NewsNation on Friday that he doesn’t understand the animosity being directed toward ICE. He said he expects the U.S. Border Patrol to be more affected by the hiring push than departments like his, which only has four full-time deputies on staff.

He said that he has always encouraged his deputies to chase after whatever employment opportunities they wish, including working for a federal agency.

“You can’t blame ICE for wanting to target experienced law enforcement agents for jobs,” Cleveland said, adding, “This is obviously better than a street hire and will require less training.”

Cleveland said that he has one deputy who has already expressed interest in one of the ICE jobs and that he has no issue with his deputies being drawn in by the incentives being offered.

But Cleveland also feels like he is in the minority of sheriffs across the country who aren't offended by ICE's hiring overtures, despite running the risk of seeing experienced deputies leaving for bigger job opportunities.

“I don’t understand that mindset (of being upset),” Cleveland said. “As a leader, you have to look after your people, even if that means you may lose them.”