Immigration Customs Agent

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency is a part of the Department of Homeland Security.

An immigration customs agent has the responsibility of enforcing customs laws and immigration laws in the United States.

According to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE.gov), a number of different job opportunities are available:

Deportation Officer

One position with ICE is as a deportation officer.

Deportation officers conduct the research that is necessary to support decisions that are made in exclusion/deportation cases and help lawyers who represent the government during court actions.

HSI Special Agent

Special agents or criminal investigators who work for the deportation department conduct investigations that involve terrorism and other threats to the security of the nation.

This includes child exploitation, drug smuggling, human trafficking, financial crimes, benefit fraud, illegal arms export, identity fraud, commercial fraud, as well as other issues.

Immigration Enforcement Agents Immigration Customs Agent(IEA)

Immigration Enforcement Agents are responsible for performing duties that are related to the identification, investigation, detention, prosecution, and deportation of illegal aliens.

An IEA will help with the processing and the removal of an alien to their original country of citizenship.

Intelligence Careers

There are numerous intelligence careers available with ICE.

This includes intelligence officers who analyze and evaluate information and coordinate large criminal investigations.

An intelligence research assistant provides administrative support for intelligence operations by gathering data.

Intelligence research specialists evaluate and analyze information and prepare intelligence products accordingly.

There are also positions as managers, program analysts, and mission support specialists, who work in the office to make sure each operation runs according to plan.

Preparing for a Career as an Immigration Customs Agent

A person interested in becoming an immigration customs agent should strongly consider learning a foreign language, particularly Spanish.

ICE jobs are posted online at www.usajobs.gov.

Most people will have to start at an entry-level position within their area of expertise.

When applying for a position with the ICE it is important to make sure that you meet all of the requirements for the position which may include a combination of education and experience.

In addition, it is important to note that to obtain a job with ICE you will have to go through an extensive interview process that includes a thorough background check.

Anyone who has ever been convicted of a crime or has previous drug use will automatically be disqualified from a position with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Once a person has gone through the application and interview process they will then have to participate in the ICE training program.

All new hires of ICE are required to attend 22 weeks of basic training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia.

The formal FLETC training program involves basic technical instructions that must be completed to continue as an ICE agent.

Trainees are also expected to undergo regular physical fitness assessments during training.

Salary Information by State

State Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Alabama12,570$48,820$23.47$66,660$31,650
Alaska1,310$85,710$41.21$122,790$43,060
Arizona11,850$69,900$33.61$82,360$50,660
Arkansas5,200$42,000$20.19$62,260$28,970
California70,090$104,010$50.01$134,010$65,890
Colorado10,140$80,990$38.94$99,740$57,920
Connecticut6,410$77,280$37.16$95,190$56,830
Delaware1,860$77,490$37.26$100,730$55,590
District of Columbia5,280$81,160$39.02$102,500$62,440
Florida47,000$73,350$35.26$101,480$45,970
Georgia21,140$49,520$23.81$63,260$36,170
Hawaii2,360$89,640$43.09$109,580$67,490
Idaho3,160$59,640$28.67$80,190$44,610
Illinois29,290$82,470$39.65$101,430$49,010
Indiana12,470$62,190$29.90$76,450$46,190
Iowa5,090$65,120$31.31$85,530$46,940
Kansas5,920$51,990$25.00$77,240$35,510
Kentucky6,460$48,170$23.16$63,660$34,820
Louisiana13,080$45,310$21.78$59,520$29,080
Maine2,080$56,960$27.39$72,180$43,350
Maryland10,280$73,350$35.27$94,060$52,340
Massachusetts17,450$73,290$35.23$98,020$48,700
Michigan16,350$63,450$30.50$80,660$44,500
Minnesota9,020$76,420$36.74$98,530$50,420
Mississippi7,520$38,430$18.48$51,310$25,360
Missouri12,300$54,490$26.20$78,620$35,690
Montana1,940$61,250$29.45$76,370$45,540
Nebraska3,320$64,720$31.11$82,230$46,910
Nevada5,620$74,060$35.60$92,780$58,160
New Hampshire2,900$62,480$30.04$80,120$47,480
New Jersey20,510$90,520$43.52$128,360$51,110
New Mexico4,610$56,690$27.26$71,910$40,550
New York50,600$81,750$39.30$127,020$49,210
North Carolina20,480$51,310$24.67$70,240$37,230
North Dakota1,710$65,730$31.60$79,960$48,550
Ohio24,150$68,300$32.84$93,090$40,590
Oklahoma8,900$54,020$25.97$80,340$30,650
Oregon4,880$78,150$37.57$94,330$60,740
Pennsylvania25,210$75,260$36.18$103,400$44,820
Rhode Island1,760$68,290$32.83$83,200$49,080
South Carolina11,640$49,490$23.79$65,250$36,250
South Dakota1,830$54,130$26.02$76,390$39,270
Tennessee12,650$50,020$24.05$66,470$35,830
Texas59,290$66,570$32.00$89,980$45,560
Utah5,200$62,790$30.19$78,940$47,010
Vermont870$61,810$29.72$76,610$47,130
Virginia17,190$60,420$29.05$80,970$44,240
Washington8,960$92,250$44.35$117,420$66,090
West Virginia3,190$48,310$23.23$59,520$37,070
Wisconsin11,530$69,050$33.20$83,820$48,760
Wyoming1,230$57,070$27.44$69,030$44,530
Puerto Rico12,930$40,230$19.34$49,570$23,430

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

The top earning state in the field is California, where the average salary is $104,010.

These are the top 10 earning states in the field:

  • California - $104,010
  • Washington - $92,250
  • New Jersey - $90,520
  • Hawaii - $89,640
  • Alaska - $85,710
  • Illinois - $82,470
  • New York - $81,750
  • District of Columbia - $81,160
  • Colorado - $80,990
  • Oregon - $78,150
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, OCC Code 33-3051, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Michael Morales

About Michael Morales

Michael Morales is the Webmaster and Editor in Chief for Legalcareerpaths.com. With a strong background in Web Publishing and Internet Marketing, he currently works as an independent consultant. A former paramedic and ems educator, he enjoys punishing himself doing triathlons and endurance sports. Michael currently lives in sunny Northern California, home of the highest tax rates in the world.

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