Overview of Allegations

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has acknowledged 148 open allegations of misconduct and potential criminal activities by its agents over the past three years. These concerns include serious charges such as sexual assault, bribery, and drug smuggling, according to records obtained by Newsweek.

Additional allegations cover domestic violence, drunk driving, and misuse of government computers during fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025. These records span the administration periods of Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Response to Allegations

John Sandweg, former acting ICE director under President Barack Obama, expressed concern over the number of open investigations, suggesting it raises questions about whether cases are being resolved efficiently. ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility typically reviews and investigates such claims.

A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasized ICE’s commitment to maintaining public trust through rigorous personnel vetting and accountability measures.

Details from Records

Approximately 30% of the allegations were classified as criminal matters. The remaining were non-criminal misconduct or administrative issues. There were 10 cases involving intentional discharge of service weapons, resulting in various outcomes including serious injury.

Other significant allegations included misuse of government property, hostile work environment, and DUI/DWI incidents.

Rapid Recruitment and its Impact

The rapid increase in ICE agent recruitment, which surged from 10,000 to 22,000 officers within a year starting January, has led to heightened scrutiny and more misconduct-related allegations. Sandweg highlighted that rapid expansion may contribute to these issues.

Political Reaction and Oversight

Democrats have voiced concerns about the rise in misconduct allegations at ICE, especially given increased enforcement actions under President Trump. Lawmakers and watchdog groups have called for improved transparency and accountability regarding ICE’s use-of-force practices.

U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson criticized the lack of oversight and disciplinary action against ICE agents, urging for federal law enforcement standards to be prioritized.

Representative Seth Magaziner highlighted a perceived lack of discipline for excessive use of force during recent deportation activities.

While investigations include actions taken during both Biden and Trump’s administrations, pinpointing cases from specific periods is complex due to how data was organized.