Key Takeaways
• ICE seeks ‘robust volunteer cadre’ of federal employees for 60-day immigration enforcement details starting March 2025.
• USCIS staff are recruited to support ICE operations, including detainee processing and data entry across multiple states.
• Nonprofit groups brace for increased enforcement while DHS expands volunteer roles among multiple federal agencies nationwide.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is making renewed efforts to build what it calls a “robust volunteer cadre” to support its immigration enforcement plans in 2025. This development has caught the attention of many inside and outside the federal government, as it signals a new wave of activity on the ground. At the center of these changes is a growing push to involve not just ICE’s own agents, but also a wide variety of federal employees, including those from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This article takes a careful look at the volunteer recruitment drive, how it fits into the Department of Homeland Security’s overall approach, and what these steps could mean for immigrants, federal workers, non-profit groups, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸.
The Call for Volunteers: What Is Happening?
In March 2025, ICE made a public request for volunteers to help with its upcoming immigration enforcement actions. This was not a limited or one-time effort. Instead, the agency’s goal was to create a deep pool of available helpers—what they described as a “robust volunteer cadre”—to step in as needed.
A key part of this push happened at USCIS. In an internal notice from Kika Scott, who was in charge of USCIS at the time, the agency’s 20,000 employees were invited to apply for 60-day assignments (called “details”) supporting ICE. These assignments would begin on March 10, 2025, and ran across multiple states. There was also the possibility that those assignments might be extended beyond 60 days, depending on the needs of ICE.
What Kind of Work Would USCIS Volunteers Do with ICE?
For this effort, ICE and USCIS wanted people with professional experience in the immigration world. The call for volunteers named several roles that would be a good fit, including:
- Immigration officers
- Immigration services officers
- Refugee officers
- Support staff working with operations and missions
Volunteers could find themselves working in many capacities, such as:
- Handling detainee processing (the steps taken after a person is stopped by ICE)
- Managing case files
- Carrying out records checks
- Doing data entry related to immigration enforcement
Assigning these tasks to USCIS staff means ICE agents can focus more on other key areas. Meanwhile, experienced workers from USCIS are expected to bring their specialized skills to help process cases and ensure accuracy. This approach relies on sharing expertise across agency lines within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The DHS Volunteer Force: Expanding Beyond ICE
The effort to channel extra hands into immigration work does not stop with ICE. The DHS has set up a broad Volunteer Force program. This group helps Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by providing logistical support. While not working as law enforcement officers, these volunteers still play important roles, working directly with people coming through the U.S. immigration system.
Here are some of the main jobs Volunteer Force members do:
- Distributing essentials such as food and supplies
- Warehousing and property management
- Filing, file tracking, and overall organization
- Helping supervise control rooms
Beyond these support roles, some volunteers with clearance (those who have passed a thorough Tier 5 Single Scope Background Investigation) are responsible for:
- Entering personal and travel information into computer systems
- Creating detailed records for each person
- Helping frontline officers as they process arrivals
Most of these assignments last for 60 days at a time (full-time), but volunteers can leave earlier if their assigned work is complete.
Why Is There a Push for More Volunteers Now?
This mobilization of federal volunteers connects to a larger shift from the current administration. In early 2025, the White House and leaders at DHS signaled a goal of beefing up immigration enforcement. In practical terms, this has meant both more personnel and more resources being dedicated to ICE’s mission.
For example, the administration has now given the green light for other federal agencies to join in immigration enforcement operations—not just the usual border and immigration agencies. The following federal groups have been tapped to send in their own trained staff:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- State Department
- Other agencies as needed
This all-in approach represents a bigger, cross-government effort to carry out the administration’s immigration policies. It also marks a clear path toward stricter border management and higher numbers of deportations—steps that have been reported as top priorities for the highest levels of government.
Recent Examples of Expanded Enforcement
The results of these policy changes are already being seen in places like Nevada. According to the Nevada Immigrant Coalition, about 100 ICE agents moved into Southern Nevada in April 2025 to take part in operations linked to the new enforcement push. This kind of movement is possible because ICE now has a wider support system—including the new cadre of volunteers.
At the same time, nonprofit groups serving immigrants are being advised to brace for “a significant increase in the enforcement of immigration compliance.” This means that not only are there more officers on the ground, but also more effort being directed at following the letter of the law when it comes to immigration—for example, checking paperwork or making sure that visa-holders and green card holders are following all the terms of their status.
The Role of USCIS in Immigration Enforcement Operations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has, until now, focused on processing immigration benefits—like green cards, work permits, and naturalization forms—for people seeking to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 legally. But by supporting ICE’s work through volunteer assignments, USCIS is now taking a more active role in the enforcement side of the system as well.
This is a big shift because the missions of USCIS and ICE have traditionally stayed somewhat separate. USCIS usually handles paperwork and benefits, while ICE deals with arrests, detainment, and removals. The growing overlap is a sign of how the administration is using every possible resource to strengthen enforcement.
For those interested in details about the types of forms these agencies use or review, you can find official information and downloadable forms on the USCIS official forms page.
What Does a Volunteer Detail Look Like?
A 60-day “detail” assignment means that federal employees leave their usual daily duties and take on temporary tasks in another office or field location. In this case, the detail is in support of ICE. The volunteers might be sent anywhere across the country where ICE is running operations, especially in areas where the number of people entering or already living without legal status is high.
Tasks on these details can range from front-desk work, checking and updating records, helping with the intake of detained people, or doing basic data entry. Some volunteers may also help answer questions for people trying to figure out their status, or help manage the large amount of paperwork each enforcement action creates.
ICE and DHS want to make sure these volunteers have at least a basic understanding of how the immigration system works. Volunteers are often selected from those with experience, but the agency may provide short training programs so new helpers are prepared to do the job well.
Safety and Legal Concerns for Volunteers
Taking part in immigration enforcement—especially at the ground level—comes with special training, legal boundaries, and safety steps. The DHS Volunteer Force is not meant to put non-law enforcement staff directly into risky situations. Their work is focused on support, logistics, and administrative help. The main law enforcement actions, like arrests or removals, are still handled by full-time ICE officers.
All volunteers must follow strict privacy and data protection rules. For those who enter confidential or sensitive information into government computer systems, background checks are a must. Volunteers in these roles are expected to respect privacy laws and keep all personal details secure.
How Is the Volunteer Push Affecting Nonprofit Groups and Communities?
The call for volunteers and bigger federal mobilization come at a time when communities across the United States 🇺🇸 are already feeling the effects of changing immigration policy. Nonprofit organizations working with immigrants, including legal aid groups, are feeling increased pressure.
Many of these groups have been told to expect more ICE activity in their areas. Some are stepping up efforts to educate immigrants about their rights, prepare emergency plans, and help families avoid sudden separation in case a family member is detained. There are also reports that organizations offering direct help to immigrants—such as food, housing, and legal support—are bracing for higher demand.
Families, especially those with members at risk of deportation, are watching closely to see how increased enforcement might affect their daily lives. School administrators and teachers are also being given guidance on best practices for supporting children and families during times of higher immigration enforcement.
The Bigger Picture: Why Is This Happening Now?
The administration’s actions fit into a larger national debate over immigration enforcement versus legal processing. By boosting the number of hands available for ICE and Border Protection, the government can act faster and process more cases. Policy-makers say this helps keep the system fair and ensures that only those with a legal right to stay remain in the U.S. This is especially important with current border numbers, which are among the highest seen in recent years.
However, others question whether this approach goes too far, placing too much pressure on immigrant communities and straining the capacity of support organizations. There are also worries about whether volunteers from other agencies have the right training or background for the new roles they are stepping into.
Some fear that involving USCIS staff in ICE actions could make people more afraid to approach USCIS for help, such as when applying for green cards or citizenship, because they worry that their information might be shared with enforcement officers. The administration says it is being careful to keep benefit processing separate from enforcement data whenever possible.
What Happens Next? Possible Short- and Long-Term Effects
Over the coming months, more details about the volunteer program will become clear. ICE and USCIS may fine-tune their recruitment strategy as they see how volunteers perform. It is also possible that the Department of Homeland Security will test using volunteers in other roles or locations.
Key effects to watch include:
- How quickly cases are processed by ICE with added support
- Whether nonprofits see a real jump in demand for legal and emergency support
- How immigrant communities respond and adapt to the chance of more enforcement action
- If the new approach creates lasting changes in how agencies like USCIS and ICE work together
This move could also set the stage for future changes at the border and within the immigration system. Agencies may continue sharing staff to handle busy times or sudden surges in arrivals.
Where to Get Official Information
People who want to keep up-to-date about ICE volunteer opportunities, enforcement updates, or the roles of USCIS in the immigration system can visit the ICE official careers page for current information. This site includes details for students and professionals considering volunteering or employment with ICE.
For broader government resources and updates on immigration enforcement policy, VisaVerge.com remains a trusted place for clear explanations and news, drawing from multiple official sources and ongoing government releases.
Conclusion
The effort by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to build a “robust volunteer cadre” marks a major policy shift in 2025. By pulling in staff from USCIS and other federal agencies, ICE is trying to handle an expected rise in enforcement actions while using support staff for key behind-the-scenes roles. This push may offer some relief to agents on the front lines, but it also raises questions about privacy, trust, and the changing lines between benefit processing and enforcement.
As communities, workers, and officials wait to see the real impact, staying informed and prepared is more important than ever. Official government sites and outlets like VisaVerge.com are important sources for facts and context as this story develops. Whether you are an immigrant, a legal expert, a nonprofit leader, or a concerned neighbor, these changes will likely shape the landscape of immigration enforcement in the years ahead.
Learn Today
Detail Assignment → A temporary work placement where employees perform duties outside their regular position, often in another agency or location.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that processes immigration benefits like green cards and citizenship.
DHS Volunteer Force → A federal program using civilian volunteers to provide logistical and administrative support to immigration operations.
Tier 5 Single Scope Background Investigation → A comprehensive security check required for federal workers accessing sensitive or confidential government information.
Detainee Processing → The administrative steps taken after someone is stopped or detained by immigration authorities, including documentation and records checks.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE is building a “robust volunteer cadre” of federal staff, including USCIS employees, for 2025 immigration enforcement. Volunteers will handle detainee processing, records, and support tasks nationwide. This signals a major policy shift, affecting nonprofits and communities, and marks unprecedented inter-agency cooperation to speed up enforcement actions across the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com
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