In several states, Democratic lawmakers want applicants to think twice about taking part. Bills introduced in recent weeks in the legislatures of at least four Democratic-led states would impose long-term consequences on new ICE employees by rendering them ineligible for jobs in law enforcement, public education, and, in their most expansive form, the entire state civil service. The bills nonetheless underscore Democratic state lawmaker’s determination to undermine Trump’s hardline immigration policy, even as a similar effort in Congress that has resulted in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutting down faces uncertain prospects. “If you’re an ICE agent, you’re signing up to engage in unlawful conduct. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin accused the lawmakers proposing these bills of “falsely casting federal law enforcement as villains while ICE officers are being targeted, threatened, and doxxed simply for doing their jobs.”“To most Americans, ICE officers are heroes,” she said.

Source: The Guardian February 26, 2026 16:28 UTC