ICE expands with hundreds of new offices across the U.S.

Expansion of ICE's Office Space and Workforce

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is actively seeking new office spaces across the United States to support its ambitious hiring plans. According to multiple federal officials and records obtained by a major news outlet, the agency is looking for office locations in hundreds of cities nationwide. These offices will be necessary to accommodate thousands of new employees, including lawyers and immigration enforcement officers.

The General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal real estate, is handling this task on behalf of ICE. High-level staff from ICE have recently approached the GSA, requesting the securing of approximately 300 office sites as quickly as possible. This initiative aims to house over 10,000 new employees. The GSA has formed special planning teams to assist with this expansion, according to the officials, who spoke under the condition of anonymity.

Recent records show that there are now regular meetings within the GSA to discuss the "ICE Surge." These meetings highlight the urgency of the project, with some participants expressing the need for rapid action. One internal message noted, “We’re off to the races with the ICE effort,” indicating the high level of pressure being placed on the GSA.

ICE’s expansion is part of a broader strategy to increase enforcement efforts, particularly under the Trump administration. The agency has received over 150,000 applications from individuals eager to join the push to deport undocumented immigrants. ICE has made tentative job offers to 18,000 applicants, signaling a significant recruitment drive.

Congress has also supported these efforts by tripling ICE’s enforcement and deportation budget to $29.9 billion. Additionally, $45 billion has been pledged for the construction of immigrant detention centers. To attract qualified candidates, ICE has lifted age caps for applicants and encouraged retired agents and law enforcement officers to return, offering bonuses up to $50,000.

The pressure on the GSA to secure leases quickly is intense, with one official describing the situation as “we want this yesterday.” Meetings scheduled this month reveal the urgency of the matter, with some attempting to condense an hour’s worth of material into 30 minutes.

The new office spaces sought by ICE are primarily furnished offices. In some cases, ICE may take over federal offices left vacant after certain agencies reduced their operations. Alternatively, they may assume existing leases. The GSA has posted a listing on a public federal contracting website, seeking competitive lease proposals for fully-finished and furnished office spaces in several major cities, including Alabama, Idaho, South Carolina, Florida, and Wisconsin.

This surge in hiring focuses on expanding two key branches of ICE: the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). OPLA serves as the legal arm of ICE, employing over 2,000 lawyers and support staff. ERO handles all aspects of immigration enforcement, including the identification, arrest, detention, and removal of aliens subject to removal or unlawfully present in the U.S.

Experts like Hiroshi Motomura, a UCLA law professor, suggest that this expansion is a natural progression following increased funding and expanded authority for ICE. Motomura notes that the current enforcement apparatus could lead to more frequent interactions between individuals and law enforcement.

He draws parallels to historical law enforcement initiatives, such as the expansion of federal powers after 9/11, McCarthy-era investigations, and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. While courts and legal challenges may provide some pushback, Motomura emphasizes that these measures often do not revert to previous conditions.