ICE Drafts 33,000 Federal Workers In Cross-Agency Deportation Surge

A Cato-backed analysis reported by Government Executive finds nearly 33,000 federal employees were detailed to ICE between Aug. 5–28, 2025, rapidly expanding detention and deportation capacity. About 20,000 came from outside ICE, including 12,000+ from HSI; ERO has ~6,000 officers. DOJ components, IRS (1,700+), CBP (5,000+), and USCIS (~4,000) contributed, with roles spanning civil-immigration arrests to admin verification. Some details are short-term while others are indefinite, aligning with new funding for 10,000 ICE and 8,500 CBP hires.