Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is launching a powerful new recruitment campaign aimed squarely at NYPD officers upset by the election of Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s new mayor.
ICE Targets NYPD Officers After Mamdani Victory
Backed by a fresh wave of funding from President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE is now moving quickly to expand its force. The agency has set an ambitious goal to hire 10,000 new officers, describing it as part of a “historic deportation campaign.”
Meanwhile, many NYPD officers have grown increasingly frustrated with city laws that limit their ability to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. As a result, with Mamdani now in charge — a mayor well known for defending sanctuary city policies — ICE is offering those officers an alternative path to continue their work elsewhere.
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Earlier this week, on Monday, ICE shared a bold message on X (formerly Twitter):
“NYPD OFFICERS: Defend your family. Defend your city. Defend the Homeland.”
Soon after, the post gained widespread attention online. Supporters praised ICE for reaching out to NYPD officers who feel unsupported under the new administration, while at the same time, critics accused the agency of trying to undermine the mayor’s authority.
Big Bonuses, Big Numbers, and NYPD Officers in Demand
ICE’s recruitment plan doesn’t stop at slogans — it comes with major financial incentives. The agency is offering retired NYPD officers and other law enforcement veterans up to $50,000 in recruitment bonuses, one of the biggest signing offers in federal law enforcement history.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), over 200,000 applications have already been submitted. Officials say that many of these are from NYPD officers and ex-officers seeking a new opportunity after Mamdani’s victory.
This expansion follows a major budget increase to boost ICE’s training centers, vehicles, and field operations. The agency’s goal is to become one of the largest and most active federal enforcement bodies in the nation.
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However, the recruitment drive comes as Mamdani continues to challenge ICE’s authority. During his campaign, he described the agency as a “rogue operation” that “has no interest in laws, no interest in order.”
In a past interview, Mamdani claimed that ICE agents acted like “masked men in unmarked cars picking up Americans and New Yorkers.” He cited cases of people being detained during regular immigration check-ins or even in their apartment lobbies.
Mamdani has pledged $100 million in taxpayer funds for the legal defense of undocumented immigrants, calling it a “cornerstone” of his campaign. In June, he promised “to stop ICE agents from deporting our neighbors.”
With such positions, many NYPD officers fear that policing in New York will soon become heavily restricted, making ICE’s offer seem like an escape to continue meaningful enforcement work.
Police Unions Join the Push
ICE’s effort to recruit NYPD officers has now inspired others to follow suit. In particular, the Houston Police Officers’ Union released its own ad on Tuesday, encouraging New York police to consider moving south.
Their message was clear and direct: the Houston Police Officers’ Union invited NYPD officers “disgusted with the election” to relocate to Houston. Furthermore, the union promised competitive pay, affordable living, and a supportive city government to those who make the move.
Meanwhile, Doug Griffith, president of the Houston Police Union, told Fox News that socialism would harm law enforcement in New York City. He also explained that Houston offers opportunities for officers to build a better life, enjoy a lower cost of living, and perform real police work with the full support of the city’s mayor and council.
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Notably, his comments echoed ICE’s message — that NYPD officers, frustrated by political changes, can still find respect and purpose elsewhere.
As a result, more agencies have begun reaching out to NYPD officers, and the divide between federal and local law enforcement continues to widen. For its part, ICE views the overwhelming response from applicants as proof of strong interest among current and former New York police officers in joining the federal effort.
Ultimately, with ICE’s recruitment drive in full swing and multiple police unions joining the appeal, the agency’s relationship with NYPD officers has become a national flashpoint — further highlighting the growing clash between Washington’s immigration agenda and New York City’s sanctuary policies.