Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are planning to spend $100 million over a one-year period in an advertising campaign, according to a report from The Washington Post. The campaign has been considered a “wartime recruitment” strategy by insiders.
The 30-page document detailing the effort describes it as a necessary tool to aid in mass-deportation efforts. One point listed in the document is the use of geofencing, which sends ads to those in a targeted environment, such as military bases, gun shows, college campuses, and other sites.
Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told the outlet that the agency has received more than 220,000 job applications in five months and has issued 18,000 tentative job offers. The majority of the new hires have experience in law enforcement.
In July, DHS offered ICE recruits a maximum $50,000 signing bonus, student loan repayment and forgiveness options, 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) for HSI Special Agents, retirement benefits, and an Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUI) for Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Deportation Officers. “Recruitment materials will be distributed across major cities nationwide, college campuses, job fairs, and law enforcement networks beginning this week,” DHS said at the time. “ICE encourages Americans with a commitment to public safety, national service, and upholding the rule of law to apply today to jumpstart a fulfilling career in federal law enforcement.”
A recruitment website for ICE tells viewers, “America Needs You.”
“America has been invaded by criminals and predators,” the website says. “We need YOU to get them out.”
