Federal immigration authorities are actively seeking to recruit officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) through social media advertisements. The ads suggest that the NYPD lacks respect for its officers and their families, stating, “Join an agency that respects you, your family, and your commitment to serving in law enforcement.” These messages are directed specifically at NYPD personnel and link to a recruitment page highlighting significant signing bonuses of up to $50,000.
This recruitment drive by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes at a time when the NYPD is grappling with persistent staffing shortages. The initiative coincides with the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation efforts and growing tensions between the city and federal authorities. Spokespeople for both ICE and the NYPD did not respond to requests for comment regarding these ads.
The financial incentives offered by ICE may be appealing, but they fall short of what NYPD officers can earn through overtime. According to job listings, ICE’s starting salary for experienced deportation officers in New York is $63,000, with a potential maximum of $163,000. In contrast, NYPD officers frequently exceed these figures—over 3,900 department employees earned more than $200,000 last year, with 21 officers surpassing $300,000.
ICE’s recruitment strategy also includes additional benefits such as up to $60,000 in student loan repayment and a 25% premium pay incentive, along with a reduced requirement for college education. Jillian Snider, a former NYPD officer now teaching at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, noted the $50,000 signing bonus is significant and rare in law enforcement circles. While the NYPD has traditionally been viewed as a prestigious agency, Snider acknowledged that ICE has gained notoriety that could attract some officers.
The potential appeal of ICE’s offer may also lie in the changing dynamics within the NYPD under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Following his recent election victory, Mamdani has expressed intentions to limit police authority over disciplinary actions and enhance civilian oversight of the police. Snider emphasized that some officers may be drawn to work outside an agency under greater scrutiny and criticism.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams condemned ICE’s recruitment efforts as “gross,” accusing the agency of exploiting fears stemming from Mamdani’s proposed reforms. He insisted that the city needs an honest dialogue about police oversight. “It’s that kind of lying and pushback that we experienced with the last administration that makes this conversation needlessly hard,” Williams stated.
Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, described the recruitment advertisements as divisive. He criticized the Trump administration’s motivations, asserting that “no New Yorker committed to public safety would ever consider joining a rogue, unaccountable agency that terrorizes New York communities.”
Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association, highlighted a broader issue reflected in ICE’s targeted ads. He stated, “Every law enforcement agency in the country knows that our members are overworked, underpaid and subjected to endless demonization and second-guessing.” Hendry called for city leaders to collaborate with law enforcement to address these challenges, warning that without action, more talented officers may leave the force.
Currently, the NYPD faces nearly 1,300 vacancies and struggles to keep pace with attrition. Earlier this year, Commissioner Jessica Tisch remarked that the city was “begging” for new recruits, leading to a reduction in educational requirements from 60 college credits to 24 and a decrease in the minimum hiring age from 25 to 20.5 years old. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams recently announced plans to hire 5,000 additional officers by 2028, despite the current challenges in maintaining a stable workforce of 34,975 officers, with the present count at 33,692.
