Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faces 148 open allegations regarding agent misconduct and potential criminal activity, including serious offenses like sexual assault, bribery, and drug smuggling over the past three years. Internal records obtained by Newsweek highlight these issues.
The records detail instances of domestic violence, drunk driving, and inappropriate use of government computers for fiscal years 2023 through 2025. This timeline spans the administrations of both Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Additionally, the records note ten incidents involving service weapon discharge that mandated reporting.
Newsweek acquired these records through a Freedom of Information Act request concerning investigations into ICE agent conduct nationwide. ICE responded with a detailed log of these open allegations.
Allegation Statistics
The breakdown of cases is as follows: 18 cases from 2023, 69 from 2024, and 61 from 2025. The Department of Homeland Security noted a rapid increase in ICE personnel during this time, from approximately 10,000 to 22,000 officers within a year.
John Sandweg, former acting ICE director, highlighted the volume of open investigations rather than attributing this to increased misconduct. He raised concerns about the efficiency of case resolutions.
Details from Internal Records
The agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility typically reviews these allegations, ensuring thorough evaluations of personnel. Records show that 44 cases, about 30 percent, concern criminal matters. Another 104 involve non-criminal misconduct or administrative issues.
Among the allegations are:
- 10 instances of DUI/DWI investigations
- 6 cases of misuse of government vehicles
- 5 bribery-related investigations
- 2 allegations of sexual assault involving adults
- 2 drug-smuggling investigations
- 3 domestic violence investigations
- 2 cases of sexual harassment
The most common accusations include misuse of government technology, conflicts of interest, and hostile work environments. Sandweg noted that such allegations are typical in large law enforcement bodies but underlined potential issues with rapid agency expansion.
Democratic Reactions and Calls for Oversight
ICE’s aggressive enforcement measures under President Trump, highlighted by mass deportation efforts, have prompted increased scrutiny from legislators and watchdog groups. These parties express concerns over excessive force and accountability.
High-profile incidents involving ICE agents have amplified demands for better transparency and oversight regarding force utilization and internal investigations. Deaths resulting from ICE actions have particularly alarmed lawmakers and the public.
U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson expressed dissatisfaction with rising misconduct allegations, emphasizing the need for enhanced professional standards within law enforcement. Representative Seth Magaziner stressed alarm over insufficient discipline for excessive force during Trump’s aggressive deportation phase.
Collectively, these records present critical insights into ICE’s internal challenges. They underscore the necessity for ongoing investigations and potential reform in officer conduct and accountability.
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