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Crimes by ICE Employees and Contractors Raise Concerns
Review finds pattern of physical abuse, sexual misconduct, and corruption among ICE personnel
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. The wrongdoing includes patterns of physical and sexual abuse, corruption, and other misuses of authority. Experts warn that ICE's rapid growth and aggressive tactics could lead to more misconduct, similar to issues seen with the Border Patrol's expansion.
Why it matters
The findings raise concerns about the integrity and accountability of ICE, an agency tasked with enforcing immigration laws and detaining vulnerable populations. The high number of criminal cases against ICE personnel could undermine public trust and highlight the need for stronger oversight and vetting of new hires, especially as the agency continues to rapidly expand.
The details
The AP review found a range of criminal charges against ICE employees and contractors, including physical and sexual abuse of detainees, corruption involving bribery and theft, and other abuses of power. Several ICE officials have been arrested in the last year for offenses such as assaulting protesters, driving drunk with a government firearm, and engaging in sexual misconduct with minors. Experts warn that ICE's unprecedented growth, from 11,000 to 22,000 employees in less than a year, could lead to more misconduct issues similar to those seen with the Border Patrol's expansion.
- The AP review covered criminal cases against ICE personnel since 2020.
- In December 2025, an ICE contractor pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a detainee at a Louisiana detention facility over a five-month period.
- In February 2026, a former top official at an ICE contract facility in Texas was sentenced to probation for grabbing a handcuffed detainee by the neck and slamming him into a wall.
The players
Tricia McLaughlin
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, who stated that wrongdoing was not widespread in ICE and that the agency takes allegations of misconduct seriously.
Gil Kerlikowske
Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, who warned that ICE will likely see even more serious problems than the Border Patrol did during its rapid expansion.
What they’re saying
“America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring to the job day-in and day-out.”
— Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary (The Associated Press)
“ICE agents are particularly 'vulnerable to unnecessary use of force issues', given that they are conducting enforcement operations while facing protests.”
— Gil Kerlikowske, Former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner (The Associated Press)
What’s next
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE leadership will likely face increased scrutiny and calls for stronger oversight and accountability measures in light of these findings.
The takeaway
The criminal cases against ICE personnel highlight the need for rigorous vetting, training, and oversight to ensure the agency's rapid growth does not lead to a rise in misconduct and abuse of power, which could further erode public trust in the immigration enforcement system.
