Summary
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the training standards for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. A former ICE lawyer criticized the training program as being inadequate and said significant reductions in training hours could affect officers' ability to perform their duties safely. The hearing addressed concerns that DHS is not adequately preparing ICE officers amidst an increase in deportation officers under President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
- DHS claims ICE officers receive 56 days of training with an additional 28 days of on-the-job training.
- A former ICE lawyer, Ryan Schwank, criticized the agency for cutting vital training hours from the program.
- Schwank stated that important legal and practical education on the use of force is no longer taught.
- DHS plans to increase the number of deportation officers have raised concerns about training adequacy.
- Recent fatal shootings involving ICE agents have drawn attention to the agency's operations.
- DHS defended their training as the “best of the best” despite these criticisms.
- Documents from whistleblowers show a reduction of nearly 250 training hours for current ICE recruits compared to previous groups.
