Former ICE Agents Speak Out on Why They Quit Amid Trump's Deportation Quotas

[Jack Valentino]

A growing number of former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are coming forward, exposing the disturbing work conditions and internal pressure that led to their resignations. According to The Atlantic, these agents say President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy—pushed by his “One Big Beautiful Bill”—has turned their jobs into a quota-chasing nightmare.

One former ICE officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said that what started as a patriotic duty has now turned into a job they no longer recognize. “Even those that are gung ho about the mission aren’t happy with how they are asking to execute it – the quotas and the shift to the low-hanging fruit to make the number,” they explained.

Another ex-agent became even more blunt, revealing that the emotional toll of the job had become too heavy, saying they would rather quit than “arrest gardeners.” Under direction from former Trump advisor Stephen Miller, ICE agents have been expected to make 3,000 arrests per day. And the kicker? Many of those arrested have no criminal records at all. In fact, according to The Atlantic, arrests of non-criminal migrants reportedly spiked 807% since Trump took office.

For some former agents, the turning point came when they realized the job was no longer about national security or justice—it was about feeding the numbers. They also report long hours, relentless overtime, and a disturbing lack of focus on mental health.

Read more:
https://hollywoodunlocked.com/former-ice-agents-quit-trump-deportation/

[RockRaven]

1. "We wanted free rein to stomp on brown people with our jackboots,"

"not be told how, when, and where to do it! Waaaaaaaah!!!! "

[ShazzieB]

7. That's not how I'm reading this.

What I get from this article is more like "We thought we were going to be rounding up actual criminals, not chasing down law abiding people who aren't harming anyone just to make ridiculously high numbers!"

They're tired of the pressure, too, but these guys who are quitting aren't leaving only because of that. There are multiple reasons:

For some former agents, the turning point came when they realized the job was no longer about national security or justice—it was about feeding the numbers. They also report long hours, relentless overtime, and a disturbing lack of focus on mental health.

[MadameButterfly]

10. We have to be able to welcome them into the fold

I get your feelings about Trumpers. Even worse, someone who signs up for ICE. And I know you have a right to vent on a discussion forum, so take this as a strategy for us as a group, not criticism of you.

But...
it's REALLY good news that even someone if this description has a line they won't cross. Either they really bought the line about rapists and criminals, and that's what they thought they signed up for, or they've been observing real human beings in distress and it is CHANGING them.

This is what gives me hope. That there won't be enough people as deranged as Trump to do his dirty work. That there won't be enough criminals to follow his illegal orders. That the Trump followers who actually care about the country will figure out that Trump doesn't.

If we keep deriding them for not having figured things out when we did, for not being of the right political persuasion in the first place, for maybe having enough racism or machismo or insensitivity to have ever chosen this....then we push them away.

These people are who will save us. The ones with enough conscience and the willingness to make the change. Most people will never question their paradigm or admit a mistake. Let's celebrate the ones that do. It's the MAGAs who won't go along in the end who will be the heros of our victory.

[MayReasonRule]

2. Crystal Meth Fueled Storm Troopers By Any Other Name Are Still The Same

During the Second World War, the Wehrmacht issued its troops with the methamphetamine-based stimulant Pervitin. Better known today as crystal meth, the drug allowed German soldiers to draw on immense reserves of energy, enabling them to march and fight for days on end without sleep.

Tales of Nazis on speed obscured the other side of the story: the massive use of stimulants by British and American troops.

I would honestly be surprised if drug abuse were not rampant within the ranks of our nation's SS troops.

Continually ongoing purposeful infliction of malevolent harm against wide swaths of our populace with the intent of ruling through intimidation, incarceration and extermination can only be done by those drug fueled or those purposefully evil.

That's the whole Nazi playbook right there; intimidation, incarceration, extermination.

Same as it ever was.

[ShazzieB]

6. The playbook hasn't changed, but it sounds like at least some of the players are getting sick of it and quitting.

That can only be a good thing, imo.

[MayReasonRule]

14. Only The Truly Evil Will Remain Within The Groups Engaged In These Crimes Against Humanity

It is GREAT!!! I totally agree.

I would love to conclude that the majority will resign.

I'm certain there will be more resignations.

Everything that we're able to do to provide a way out for those caught up with this web of perpetual malevolent depraved infliction of harm are steps in the correct direction.

There's really no easy way when you're a hardcore "believer" and you trust in the schemes of the dreamers.

Delusion normally just gives birth to further delusion.

Here's to the restoration of our freedoms through our nation's return to Reason's rule, there's a long ride ahead.

[MadameButterfly]

11. Our hope lies in that we as a people are in a different place

than the German population post WW1.

But drug use would make a difference. I didn't know about that history.

[UTUSN]

3. At least these quit. The rest and their union undermined the Dem admin, constantly on Faux

and are motivated by a job paying as high as their reach with excellent benefits and security, besides stoking their testosterone egos.

[PatSeg]

4. "Many arrested have no criminal records at all."

From what we've seen so far, I would say the correct words would be "most", not "many".

[Aristus]

5. Did ICE accidentally hire people with morals and consciences?

I'm shocked...

[MadameButterfly]

12. I think it unrealistic to think all of them can be as amoral as Trump

That could be Trump's downfall. Imagine the people he'll need to hire for the Florida concentration camps. Who will see the real conditions. There will be whistleblowers at least, and likely a lot of attrition with replacements hard to find.

[ShazzieB]

8. This stood out to me (emphasis added).

As mass deportations continue under Trump’s immigration overhaul, questions remain about how sustainable this pressure cooker environment is for federal agents. Many have quit, others are speaking out, and the morale inside ICE appears to be crumbling.

I think "sustainable" is the key word here. It's easy to see why so many of them are quitting , and I'm really encouraged that some of these people are disturbed by the immorality of arresting any random brown person they happen to see.

And before anyone says there are plenty of evil people ouut there who won't mind the dirty work, it's NOT that simple. Those who are amoral enough to not mind arresting gardeners and abuelitas are also not likely to be keen on things like like arbitrary numerical quotas, long hours, and forced overtime. And the chaos caused by hugh turnover and the need to be constantly hiring and training new people isn't going to be sustainable, either.

TL/dr: Not everyone is evil enough to do this work the way they're being required to do it, and a large percentage of those who are that evil are unlikely to be the kind of team players they need. It's not a recipe for success!

[Wounded Bear]

9. Those with integrity are leaving, leaving more spots open for J6ers...nt

[MadameButterfly]

13. Yes. But there aren't enough J6er's to staff this operation

on an ongoing basis. Most J6er's won't actually do this kind of work. There's a difference between showing up for a day and committing full time to this is your life. Proud Boys maybe, but not grandma.