Careers

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative agency in the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration and customs laws. ICE has more than 19,000 employees working in 400 offices in the U.S. and around the world.

Our homeland security mission is carried out by a wide variety of law enforcement, intelligence and mission support professionals — all of whom have the opportunity to contribute to the safety and security of our country.

In addition to the core law enforcement occupations, there are also a wide range of professional and administrative functions that support the ICE mission.

Among the key law enforcement career opportunities offered by ICE are the following.

Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Special agents are involved in challenging criminal and civil investigations involving national security threats, terrorism, drug smuggling, child exploitation, human trafficking, illegal arms export, financial crimes, commercial fraud and more. (Learn more about becoming an ICE special agent.)

ICE is not currently recruiting entry-level special agents. When recruiting commences, these vacancies will not be posted on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) USA Jobs Web site. To learn more about becoming an ICE special agent, contact your nearest Special Agent in Charge Office and ask for the "special agent recruiter." Phone numbers for each ICE office are listed under Contact Us.

Deportation Officer (DO)

DOs conduct legal research to support decisions on deportation/exclusion cases and assist attorneys in representing the government in court actions. DOs work with other federal law enforcement officials to identify, locate and arrest aliens and are responsible for ensuring the physical removal of aliens from the United States. DOs also prepare, present and defend deportation or exclusion proceedings.

This work involves working with both criminal and non-criminal aliens at various stages of their deportation/exclusion proceedings. Additional responsibilities include conducting complex investigations, conducting surveillance work, preparing investigative reports and assisting in seizures.

Detention and Deportation Officer (DDO)

DDOs are responsible for directing, coordinating and executing detention and removal activities. DDOs recommend administrative procedures and policies, participate in long-range planning, and provide guidance on detention and removal operations, policies and requirements. Additional responsibilities may include developing budget estimates and justifications, analyzing programs to recommend improvements and assisting in investigations.

Immigration Enforcement Agent (IEA)

IEAs are the uniformed presence of immigration enforcement within the U.S. interior. IEAs perform enforcement functions related to the investigation, identification, arrest, prosecution, detention and deportation of aliens, and the apprehension of absconders from removal proceedings. IEAs assist in the processing and removal of aliens to their country of citizenship.

Other ICE Vacancies

All current ICE job vacancies, with the exception of entry-level special agents, are posted on OPM's USA Jobs Web site. Available positions change weekly as vacancies are filled and new jobs are added.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Protecting national security by enforcing our nation's customs and immigration laws

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