Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent efforts to poach local law enforcement officers through aggressive recruitment has sparked significant concern and anger within some law enforcement leadership circles. The initiative, fueled by billions secured through the "One Big Beautiful Bill" spending legislation and a mandate to rapidly expand its agent numbers – targeting a potential mass deportation effort – has strained relationships with trusted partners. "We’re their force multipliers, and this is the thanks we get for helping them do their job?" Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd stated, expressing his dissatisfaction with a recruitment email sent by ICE’s deputy director to hundreds of his deputies. Judd blamed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for the misstep, demanding an apology and asserting that Noem "needs to get on her big girl pants." Judd also emphasized his desire to "support President Trump’s mission." NBC News spoke to local law enforcement leaders in four states – Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Georgia – whose agencies participate in ICE’s 287(g) program, under which local officers are deputized to assist in immigration enforcement. The recruitment email, sent this week, appeared to target officers within these participating agencies. The email, obtained by NBC News, read in part: "As someone who is currently supporting ICE through the 287(g) program, you understand the unique responsibility we carry in protecting our communities and upholding federal law. Your experience in state or local law enforcement brings invaluable insight and skills to this mission – qualities we need now more than ever."

The email also offered potential $50,000 signing bonuses, coupled with the possibility of up to $60,000 in student loan repayment beyond the bonuses. "ICE actively trying to use our partnership to recruit our personnel is wrong and we have expressed our concern to ICE leadership," the Pinetellas County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office stated in a formal statement. The sheriff in Pinetellas County, a Republican, echoed Judd’s sentiment, noting that the misstep "will cause an erosion of a relationship that has been improving of late." Jonathan Thompson, the executive director and CEO of the National Sheriffs’ Association, stated that the association had received reports from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies regarding the recruitment emails. Thompson indicated that the group had not yet heard from DHS since the emails were flagged and intends to send a "very stern note" to ICE. "This is inappropriate behavior of a partner organization," Thompson declared. "We’re all on the same boat. And you just don’t treat friends or partners like this."

One Florida police chief, who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns about potential retaliation, voiced a common sentiment: "Now you know why everybody’s so pissed. This is like the transfer portal in college sports. We see people leave us because they believe they can make more money at other locations. ... Law enforcement has always been a calling. Now it’s a job." The DHS media office did not respond to questions about local law enforcement concerns but provided NBC News with a statement attributed to a senior DHS official: "ICE is recruiting law enforcement, veterans, and other patriots who want to serve their country. This includes local law enforcement, veterans, and our 287(g) partners who have already been trained and have valuable law enforcement experience. Additionally, more than $500 million from President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill will go to increasing our 287(g) partnerships with state and local law enforcement."

The sheriff’s office in Forsyth County, Georgia, told NBC News that the Atlanta ICE office "sent an apology" for the recruitment email. Not all sheriffs were upset with the recruitment effort. In fact, some expressed support. Thaddeus Cleveland, the sheriff of Terrell County, Texas, said, "I think if someone wants to better their life, better their career, you know, look towards the long years, the long game, retirement, there’s nothing better than the U.S. government to go out and have a successful career." Cleveland, who has just four deputies, admitted he cannot compete with the $50,000 bonuses the agency is offering. "We may not be able to turn around and hire somebody the next day. It may take a few weeks. It may take a few months. But again, I support, you know, someone wanting to pursue something they’re interested in. I may end up having to work a little more, which is OK."

Goliad County, Texas, Sheriff Roy Boyd also stated he is not upset about the recruitment and noted that his office also has to deal with the state’s recruiting new troopers from his department. "We can’t compete with the salaries of the state and the feds," he said.