U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reversing key elements of its rapid expansion strategy, restoring longer training requirements and requiring additional instruction for thousands of officers hired under an accelerated recruitment program, according to reports and internal agency documents.
The policy shift marks a significant adjustment to one of the Trump administration's most aggressive immigration enforcement initiatives. After touting a dramatic increase in ICE personnel over the past year, officials are now moving to strengthen officer preparation amid growing scrutiny from lawmakers, operational challenges and concerns over officer safety.
CBS News reported that ICE has abandoned the shortened hiring and training process that was introduced as part of a broader effort to quickly expand the agency's workforce. The expedited system reduced training requirements as officials raced to place more officers in the field.
The administration had highlighted the expansion earlier this year, arguing that increased staffing was necessary to support President Donald Trump's immigration agenda.
"The good news is that thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers and agents on the ground across the country," Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. "That's a 120% increase in our workforce. And that's in just about four months."
According to administration figures, the number of ICE agents and officers grew from roughly 10,000 to 22,000 during the expansion effort. To accelerate deployment, training periods were significantly shortened. Politico reported that instruction previously lasting approximately 72 days was compressed into a six-to-eight-week program.
Now, ICE is moving in the opposite direction.
According to an internal memorandum cited by CBS News, the agency plans to expand its core training curriculum from 42 days to approximately 71 days. Officers who entered service under the shortened training framework will also be required to complete supplemental instruction.
The enhanced training program will focus on areas that officials say have become increasingly important as officers face heightened risks in the field.
In a statement provided to CBS News, the Department of Homeland Security said:
"As our officers continue to face coordinated campaigns of violence against them including riots outside ICE facilities, sniper attacks, and more than a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, ICE is instituting additional training including, crowd control measures, additional training for high-risk vehicle stops, a live-fire cover course for officer safety, and medical training."
The decision follows months of mounting criticism surrounding the agency's rapid growth strategy. The issue gained greater urgency after the January shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which intensified debate over training standards and operational readiness.
In March, Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino announced his retirement. That same month, President Trump dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and replaced her with former Senator Markwayne Mullin.
Additional changes followed at ICE itself. In April, acting ICE Director Todd Lyon announced plans to leave government service for a private-sector position, remaining through May to assist with the leadership transition.
