Dozens of ICE Agents Charged with Crimes in Recent Years

Misconduct includes physical and sexual abuse, corruption, and abuse of authority

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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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 ICE's rapid growth and mission to deport millions could lead to more misconduct, as the agency struggles with vetting and oversight of new hires.

Why it matters

The documented wrongdoing by ICE agents raises concerns about the agency's ability to properly vet and oversee its growing workforce, which has more than doubled in size in less than a year. The abuse of power and criminal acts committed by some ICE agents could further erode public trust in the agency and its mission.

The details

The review found that the crimes committed by ICE employees and contractors included physically assaulting girlfriends, sexually abusing detainees, taking bribes to remove detention orders, and using government resources and credentials to try to avoid arrest or receive favorable treatment. Some of the most serious crimes were committed by veteran ICE employees and supervisors rather than new hires.

  • Since 2020, at least two dozen ICE employees and contractors have been charged with crimes.
  • In the past year, nine ICE agents have been charged, including an agent cited last month for assaulting a protester near Chicago while off-duty.

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.

Alexander Back

An ICE employment eligibility auditor who was arrested in a sting in Minnesota in November as he went to meet a person he thought was a 17-year-old prostitute.

Guillermo Diaz-Torres

An ICE officer who was arrested for driving under the influence after officers in suburban Chicago found him passed out in a crashed car with his government firearm in the vehicle.

Scott Deiseroth

An ICE officer in Florida who was stopped for driving drunk with his two children in the car and threatened to check the immigration status of the deputy arresting him.

Tricia McLaughlin

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary who said that wrongdoing was not widespread in ICE and that the agency takes allegations of misconduct extremely seriously.

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What they’re saying

“I'm ICE, boys.”

— Alexander Back, ICE employment eligibility auditor (Police report)

“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 video)

“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 (Statement)

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, including physical and sexual abuse, corruption, and abuse of authority, raises serious concerns about the agency's ability to properly vet and oversee its rapidly growing workforce. Stronger oversight and accountability measures may be needed to address these issues and restore public trust.