Defense Department Mobilizes Civilian Workers for Border Security Support
The Pentagon has launched a program enabling approximately 950,000 civilian employees to volunteer for temporary assignments with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The initiative, formalized via a Memorandum of Agreement, allows DOD personnel to apply for roles via USAJOBS, with potential for extensive overtime and deployment to border facilities or national ICE/CBP locations. This effort coincides with increased DHS hiring for ICE officers and heightened tensions over border security following significant increases in assaults on federal agents.
DHS officials have emphasized the critical need for additional personnel to manage the growing challenges at the border. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has highlighted the impact of the Biden administration’s open border policies, which he claims have created unprecedented difficulties for ICE in removing criminal illegal aliens from the country. He also pointed to the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ as a key funding source for recruitment efforts, underscoring the administration’s focus on securing the border through increased manpower
The recruitment drive comes amid what has been at least an 830% increase in assaults on agents, according to DHS data. Noem, a senior DHS official, mentioned that the number has since spiked to 1,000%, highlighting the volatile environment faced by immigration enforcement officers. These incidents underscore the escalating tensions and the administration’s commitment to bolstering border security through various means, including the involvement of civilian volunteers from the Pentagon.
As the situation continues to evolve, the collaboration between the Department of Defense and Homeland Security exemplifies the broader strategy of leveraging available human resources to address pressing security challenges. With the threat of physical aggression against agents increasing, the temporary assignment of civilian workers represents a practical step in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of immigration enforcement operations across the country.