How Much Does An ICE Agent Make? | U.S. ICE Agent

The U.S. is one of the countries to be considered in the discussion of ‘security’. It is valid to say that security is one of the core concerns of any country and, there must be a body set up to ensure that this is attainable. ICE is one of these bodies, how much does an ICE agent make then?

ICE is an acronym for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Their aim is to ensure that there is no illegal immigration into the country nor any sort of trafficking of unlawful items from other countries.

Created in November 2002 by the Homeland Security Act to be the single-largest government reorganization since the creation of the Department of Defense, the ICE began in March 2003 as the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

They are categorized into four branches with more than 20,000 law enforcement and support personnel. and they are a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Working as an ICE agent is quite rewarding as one would be earning a huge salary; working to ensure the U.S. borders is safe for both visitors and citizens.

These agents also have they could be licensed to carry out investigations on customs and immigration-associated crimes which include; money laundering, trafficking, and smuggling of weapons, human trafficking, cybercrime, child exploitation, immigration fraud, drug trafficking, gang activity.

Responsibilities of An ICE Agent

An ICE agents the following security duties to perform;

1. Conduct all levels of investigations, including civil, administrative, and criminal
2. Perform a significant amount of undercover work
3. Perform surveillance on persons of interest for either customs or immigration violations
4. infiltrate criminal organizations or businesses to uncover illicit activity
5. Work at border patrol to examine the credentials of individuals entering the United States
6. Participate in the deportation process, such as apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants or criminal immigrants
7. Work closely with other federal agencies, such as the FBI, as well as state and local departments
8. Inspect documents and other cargo at customs checkpoints

Qualifications To Be An ICE Agent

An intending ICE agent must be a citizen of the United States; possess a valid driver license; not have been convicted of any felony or crime of domestic violence in addition to meeting other requirements as follows:

1. Application process: A rigorous application process that includes a thorough background investigation, medical assessment, and a personal and structured interview.
2. Testing: Candidates undergo a battery of tests that measure their experience, reasoning skills, and writing ability.
3. Education: Preference is given to those who hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year institution.
4. Training: New ICE agents undergo four to six months of training at the start of their employment, and participate in ongoing education throughout their career.
5. Military and other experience: The agency also seeks candidates with prior military service or law enforcement experience and those with the ability to speak one or more languages besides English.

Also note that prior experience in a leadership or management position is considered a plus, whether in a civilian, military, or law enforcement capacity. Below are other skills you should also have as an intending ICE agent;

1. Organizational skills: Must be organized and analytical.
2. Communication skills: ICE agent’s job requires good communication skills when speaking to people and getting necessary pieces of information about crime, should be able to make clear articulations of ideas and facts.
3. Physical strength and stamina: Must be physically in very good shape and composure and strong enough to arrest defaulters as this is also part of their job.
4. Leadership skills:  Must not shay away from responsibilities but rather, comfortably assist the public hoping on them for help in dangerous situations.
5. Empathy:  Must be able to flow with different kinds of people, understand them, and be willing to help the public at large.
6. Perceptiveness: ICE agents must have foreknowledge of how people are likely to act per time and as well the reasons for their actions.
7. Good judgment: Must be able to handle pressure and also arrive at the best way to resolve a wide variety of problems at ease.

Note that;

In addition to the base salary of ICE agents, they may also earn added pay depending on the location of their field office.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stipulates that as the need for ICE agents will increase at the same 7% projected rate for other occupations. Therefore, they would be in high demand in years to come due to the increased need for the protection of borders, criminal acts, threats from foreign terrorists, etc.

The jobs of ICE agents are mostly exterior; in very rough terrain under different weather conditions. This requires a great deal of preparedness as they would have to work anywhere in the U.S.

Since the agency has offices in very remote locations, the agents must be prepared for any form of discomfort and must enforce the U.S. laws at tall time with no regard to how they feel.

Also See: Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Recruitment Portal

The ICE agency job could be cumbersome and very tedious involving a series of travelings. They are mostly expected to be on duty for an average of fifty hours in a week in a year, they may as well be on call for twenty-four hours in a week. They get compensated in the form of Law Enforcement Availability Pay (leap).

How to Get the ICE Agent Job

This is not a difficult journey to embark provided you are eligible. Below is what to do in just two ways.

PREPARE YOUR RESUME: Log in to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website, you will get all the necessary pieces of information you’ll need about the application process, what types of experience you should feature in your resume with regards to the job you are applying for.

APPLY: The agency holds open application periods at different times throughout the year. To begin your application, you will have to go to the ICE site for directions and how to go about the application process.

How Much Does An ICE Agent Make?

How much does an ICE agent make? An ICE agent there is works with ICE to ensure that there is no illegal immigration into the country nor any sort of trafficking of unlawful items from other countries.

Now to the question of the day, you must note that the salary each ICE agent earns varies with their geographic area; certifications; education; the level of experience, etc.

The ICE agents are classified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics under the category of police and detectives, with an annual salary range as follows:

1. Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $106,090 ($51/hour)
2. Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $36,550 ($17.57/hour)
3. Median Annual Salary: $63,380 ($30.47 /hour)