Crimes by ICE Agents Raise Concerns as Agency Expands

Review finds pattern of physical and sexual abuse, corruption, and other abuses of power by ICE employees and contractors

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A review by The Associated Press has found that at least two dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020, including patterns of physical and sexual abuse, corruption, and other abuses of authority. Experts warn that these issues could accelerate as ICE rapidly expands, doubling in size to 22,000 employees in less than a year, with less oversight and accountability.

Why it matters

The rapid growth of ICE and the immense power its officers exercise over vulnerable populations have raised concerns about the potential for increased misconduct and abuse. The Trump administration's efforts to embolden agents and weaken oversight have also contributed to a troubling culture of lawlessness, according to some experts.

The details

The crimes committed by ICE employees and contractors range from physical and sexual abuse of detainees and the public, to corruption and abuse of power for personal gain. Cases include an assistant ICE field office supervisor charged with attempting to strangle his girlfriend, an ICE officer arrested for trying to meet a minor for sex, and ICE officials charged with accepting bribes to remove detainers or provide confidential information.

  • In December 2024, an ICE contractor pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a detainee at a facility in Louisiana over a five-month period in 2025.
  • In November 2024, a former supervisor in ICE's New York City office was arrested for providing confidential information about people's immigration statuses to acquaintances and making an arrest in exchange for gifts and other gain.
  • In 2022, an ICE supervisor was arrested in a sting while going to a hotel room to meet who he thought was a 13-year-old girl he'd arranged to pay for sex.

The players

Samuel Saxon

A 20-year ICE veteran and assistant ICE field office supervisor in Cincinnati who has been jailed since his arrest in December on charges that he attempted to strangle his girlfriend, whom he had abused for years.

Alexander Back

An ICE employment eligibility auditor who was arrested in Minnesota in November for attempting to entice a minor, telling police "I'm ICE, boys" when he was apprehended.

Guillermo Diaz-Torres

An ICE officer who was arrested in suburban Chicago in October for driving under the influence with his government firearm in the vehicle after recently completing a shift at a detention center.

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What they’re saying

“I'll run him once I get out of here and if he's not legit, ooh, he's taking a ride back to Haiti.”

— Scott Deiseroth, ICE officer (Body camera footage)

“With a duty to protect and serve, defendant sought to exploit and victimize.”

— Prosecutors (Court documents)

What’s next

The judge in the case against Samuel Saxon will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This pattern of misconduct by ICE agents, from physical and sexual abuse to corruption and abuse of power, raises serious concerns about the agency's rapid expansion and lack of oversight. It highlights the need for stronger vetting, training, and accountability measures to prevent further abuses as ICE's reach grows.