ICE expands enforcement amid funding boost and death investigations

Washington — The Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will receive an additional $1.2 billion in funding for the fiscal year and will add roughly 5,000 new agents and support staff, marking the largest budget increase for the agency in a decade. The boost is intended to expand detention capacity, accelerate deportation proceedings and enhance border‑security operations, according to a statement from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The funding will also support the construction of new detention facilities and the procurement of technology for case management, as ICE seeks to meet the administration’s target of removing 10 million undocumented immigrants over the next two years.

The expansion comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE’s practices after a series of high‑profile deaths and allegations of abuse in detention centers. Congressional committees and the Office of the Inspector General have opened investigations into the circumstances surrounding at least 15 deaths in custody since 2022, as well as claims of inadequate medical care and excessive force. Lawmakers from both parties have called for a review of the agency’s policies, while advocacy groups have urged stricter oversight and transparency. The administration has pledged to cooperate with the inquiries but maintains that the increased resources are essential to enforce immigration laws and protect public safety.