(UNITED STATES) Superman actor Dean Cain announced in early August 2025 that he is joining U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to support President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement. Cain’s move comes as ICE launches its largest-ever hiring campaign, backed by record federal funding and sweeping policy changes.
Cain, age 59, said he would be sworn in as an ICE agent “ASAP,” calling it his “patriotic duty.” He encouraged others to join ICE, appearing on television and social media to promote the agency’s new recruitment drive. “I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it. So, I joined up,” Cain explained. He highlighted ICE’s new $50,000 signing bonus and expanded benefits, including student loan repayment, as part of the agency’s push to attract new agents.

This announcement comes as ICE, under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, lifts its age cap for new hires and actively recruits high-profile figures to boost its ranks and public image. The agency’s recruitment portal, join.ice.gov, has already received 80,000 applications as of early August 2025, with a goal to hire 10,000 additional staff members.
Record Funding and Policy Changes
In July 2025, Congress passed a budget bill allocating an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration and border enforcement. This includes:
- 💰 $45 billion for new detention centers, a 265% increase over previous years
- 💰 $29.9 billion for ICE enforcement and deportation operations, tripling the agency’s annual budget
- 💰 $46.6 billion for border wall construction
ICE’s daily detention capacity is set to reach at least 116,000 non-citizens, with rapid construction of new facilities and expanded partnerships with state and local law enforcement. The number of local officers deputized under the 287(g) program has doubled, and agreements with local agencies have increased sixfold since January 2025.
DHS has also expanded the use of expedited removal nationwide, allowing ICE to remove undocumented individuals present in the United States 🇺🇸 for less than two years without full court proceedings. ICE revised its National Detention Standards in 2025 to align with new executive orders, including changes in gender policy language and facility operations.
Cain’s Role and Public Statements
Dean Cain’s decision to join ICE has drawn national attention. While it is not yet clear if his role will be operational or focused on recruitment and public relations, Cain has been vocal in his support for President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.
“We have a broken immigration system. Congress needs to fix it, but in the interim, President Trump ran on this. He is delivering on this. This is what people voted for. It’s what I voted for and he’s going to see it through, and I’ll do my part and help make sure it happens,” Cain said.
Secretary Kristi Noem announced the lifting of the ICE age cap and stressed the need for “dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country.” She also highlighted the agency’s expanded recruitment and operational goals.
Impact on Immigrants and Communities
ICE is now targeting a minimum of 3,000 arrests per day under new mandates. Since October 2024, ICE has detained 200,000 people; 65% had no criminal convictions, and 93% had not committed violent crimes. The agency is on track to surpass last year’s record for deaths in ICE custody, raising concerns about oversight and humanitarian conditions.
Advocacy groups, including the American Immigration Council, criticize the enforcement-heavy approach. They warn that the majority of those detained have no criminal record and that the system is abandoning due process and humanitarian standards. Reports have surfaced of U.S. citizens being swept up in raids, increased fear in immigrant communities, and protests in cities across the country. The administration has prosecuted not only demonstrators but also civilians who film or object to ICE arrests.
What Joining ICE Looks Like
For those interested in joining ICE, the process in 2025 involves:
- ✅ Application: Submit an application through the official ICE recruitment portal (join.ice.gov), now open to a wider age range.
- ✅ Screening: Undergo background checks, physical fitness assessments, and interviews.
- ✅ Training: Complete federal law enforcement training, with expedited tracks for those with prior law enforcement experience.
- ✅ Swearing-In: New agents are sworn in and assigned to enforcement, detention, or investigative roles.
- ✅ Deployment: Agents participate in raids, court enforcement, and other operations as directed by ICE leadership.
ICE’s new recruitment campaign offers substantial financial incentives, including a $50,000 signing bonus and student loan repayment programs. New agents are tasked with high-visibility enforcement roles, often facing public criticism and legal scrutiny.
Country/Type | Visa Category | Processing Time |
---|---|---|
USA | ICE Agent | Immediate for application submission |
USA | ICE Agent | Varies for background checks and assessments |
USA | ICE Agent | Varies for training completion |
USA | ICE Agent | ASAP after training for swearing-in |
USA | ICE Agent | Post swearing-in for deployment |
Supporters and Critics
Supporters of the expanded ICE operations argue that these measures are necessary to restore law and order, remove dangerous criminals, and fulfill campaign promises. They point to the need for strong enforcement to address what they see as a broken immigration system.
Critics, however, highlight the humanitarian costs, due process violations, and the disproportionate impact on non-criminal immigrants and families. They warn that the system is overwhelmed, oversight is lacking, and deaths in custody are rising. Legal experts note that the administration’s use of executive power and expedited removal is facing legal challenges, with concerns about constitutional rights and the rule of law.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
President Donald Trump’s second term has seen a dramatic escalation in immigration enforcement, reversing many policies from previous administrations. Mass detention and deportation are now central pillars of federal immigration strategy. ICE’s operational scope and budget have expanded more in 2025 than at any time in its history, sparking bipartisan controversy and ongoing legal and political battles.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on final passage of the July 2025 budget bill, which could further increase ICE’s resources and authority. Ongoing legal challenges may affect the implementation of expedited removal and other enforcement measures. Advocacy groups are mobilizing to challenge the new policies in court and through public protest, while the administration signals no intention to slow its enforcement agenda.
Resources and Next Steps
For those seeking more information or wishing to apply to ICE, visit the official ICE recruitment portal. The ICE official website provides updates on policy, contact information, and public statements. The American Immigration Council offers policy analysis and legal resources, while the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties accepts complaints and provides oversight.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Dean Cain’s enlistment in ICE is part of a broader government-backed recruitment and public relations campaign amid the most aggressive immigration enforcement expansion in U.S. history. The situation remains highly dynamic, with further legislative, legal, and operational changes expected in the coming months.
For immigrants, families, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸, these changes bring new risks and challenges. Staying informed and seeking legal advice is more important than ever as the landscape of immigration enforcement continues to shift.
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