The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released new information about the training received by officers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to DHS, ICE recruits undergo 56 days of initial training, followed by an average of 28 days of on-the-job instruction. The department emphasized that no training requirements have been removed.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated, “We have ensured our law enforcement officers get the best of the best training to arrest and remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorist, and gang members from our communities. Despite false claims from the media and sanctuary politicians, no training hours have been cut. Our officers receive extensive firearm training, are taught de-escalation tactics, and receive Fourth and Fifth Amendment comprehensive instruction. The training does not stop after graduation from the academy—Recruits are put on a rigorous on-the-job training program that is tracked and monitored.”
DHS noted that while the format has changed—with classes now running six days a week for twelve hours per day instead of five days a week for eight hours—the total number of instructional hours remains unchanged.
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) is preparing to accommodate 12,000 new hires this year. Funding for FLETC was increased through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which provided $750 million to enhance training for personnel at U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and ICE.
Training programs have been updated to reduce redundancy and use technological advancements without removing any essential content or lowering standards. Language classes previously focused on one Spanish dialect have been replaced with translation services covering multiple languages.
Most new officers joining during recent hiring efforts already have prior law enforcement experience and have completed previous academy training.
ICE’s curriculum includes instruction in arrest techniques, defensive tactics, conflict management, de-escalation methods, firearms proficiency, use-of-force policy, among other skills. Officers who join Special Response Teams (SRT) face additional requirements such as tryouts totaling 30 hours just for consideration; completion of an SRT Basic Operator Course; ongoing specialized skill development including breaching techniques and hostage rescue; as well as maintaining expert marksmanship qualifications.
ICE recruits also receive detailed education regarding constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments before assuming field duties.
After graduating from FLETC’s basic program, ICE officers continue their development through structured mentorships and monitored on-the-job learning experiences designed to apply classroom knowledge in real-life situations.
Senior officials provide ongoing guidance within each office to support continuous professional growth among agents.
