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Thursday, January 8, 2026

Category: News
January 6, 2026
Economy
Immigration

This Texas Republican Wants Trump to Let Illegals Take Jobs from American Workers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Republican House member from Texas is reviving pro-open border policy efforts to convince the Trump administration to adopt legal avenues for illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. construction industry.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and South Texas construction industry leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: De La Cruz discussed her plan to lobby the Trump White House with the South Texas Builders Association and Texas construction industry leaders during a closed-door meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “At the end of the day, I want to represent South Texas, and I want to represent our community and make sure that we continue to be prosperous.” – Monica De La Cruz

🎯IMPACT: Border security and immigration enforcement advocates contend De La Cruz’s push to create a new legal avenue for the hiring of cheap, illegal immigrant labor is little more than political cronyism on behalf of corporate interests seeking to drive down wage costs.

IN FULL

Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) is launching a renewed effort lobbying the Trump administration to adopt a new legal pathway for illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. construction industry. During a closed-door meeting on Monday with South Texas builders and construction executives, De La Cruz announced plans to meet with officials from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in response to local industry claims of a worker shortage due to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions at construction sites.

The Texas Republican lawmaker is proposing a plan that would create a new visa program, similar to the existing H-2A agricultural worker visa program, specifically for construction workers, as a means of addressing the alleged labor shortage. “At the end of the day, I want to represent South Texas, and I want to represent our community and make sure that we continue to be prosperous,” De La Cruz reportedly said at the meeting, hosted by the South Texas Builders Association.

Notably, De La Cruz’s visa program is being inserted into Representative Maria Salazar’s (R-FL) Dignity Act legislation, which would provide multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Additionally, the bill revives former President Joe Biden’s “Labor Neighbors” program and George W. Bush’s 2001 “Any Willing Worker” plan, both of which open the door to an unlimited influx of cheap, immigrant workers.

Despite Rep. Salazar’s assertion that the Dignity Act is not an amnesty bill, provisions in the legislation would offer legal status to various immigrant populations, including migrants who have illegally voted in federal elections. House Republicans have largely declined to support Salazar’s proposal, although it has drawn significant backing from House Democrats.

The National Pulse reported in November 2024 that former Clinton administration Treasury Secretary Larry Summers tacitly admitted U.S. lawmakers and government officials tolerate illegal immigration because it suppresses the wages of American workers—a stance supported by numerous corporate interests. Even the pro-globalist Wall Street Journal has acknowledged that overreliance on cheap, foreign labor dissuades industries from becoming more efficient and innovative—ultimately preventing the economy from expanding at a significant pace.

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January 6, 2026
News

80-Year-Old GOP Congressman and Wife Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Crash.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) and his wife were hospitalized following a car crash on Monday night.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Indiana Rep. Jim Baird, his wife, and House Republicans.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The collision occurred on Monday, January 5, with Baird’s hospitalization announced on Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They’re going to be OK, but they had a pretty bad accident.” – President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Baird’s absence complicates House GOP’s razor-thin majority for legislative votes, especially following the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) on Monday.

IN FULL

Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN), 80, and his wife have been hospitalized following a car crash. Baird, who represents Indiana‘s 4th congressional district, is currently in stable condition and responsive, according to his son, Beau Baird, a state lawmaker in Indiana.

“Many of you have likely heard by now that Congressman Jim Baird’s vehicle was struck last night while he was driving back to Washington to continue his work for Hoosiers. My mom was with him at the time. I’m grateful to share that they are both safe, stable, and in good spirits,” Beau Baird wrote in a post on social media regarding the car accident and the condition of his father and mother. He added, “Anyone who knows my dad knows his determination runs deep, and he’s already joking about getting back to the House floor to vote, especially with margins this tight.”

The congressman’s son also revealed that the accident was a hit-and-run, stating, “Several people have asked whether this was politically motivated. At this time, there is no information to suggest that, and we sincerely hope that is not the case. Because this was a hit-and-run, law enforcement is actively investigating and trying to find the vehicle that struck them.”

Baird has served in Congress since 2019, representing a largely rural district with a significant agricultural industry presence. Prior to serving in Congress, he was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, and a Putnam County commissioner from 2006 to 2010.

President Donald J. Trump addressed the situation during remarks at the House Republican policy retreat, stating, “They’re going to be OK, but they had a pretty bad accident.” Trump also paid tribute to the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), who passed away on Monday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) noted that Baird might be dealing with a spinal injury resulting from the crash. The GOP already faces challenges with a 218-213 majority, and Baird’s absence, along with the unexpected passing of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), leaves Republicans with an effective two-vote majority for passing legislation.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 6, 2026
News
TECH

Vivek Ramaswamy Has Quit Social Media, Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Vivek Ramaswamy announced his decision to delete social media apps X and Instagram as part of his New Year’s resolutions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Vivek Ramaswamy, Ohio Governor candidate, and his campaign team.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, early January 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I plan to become a social-media teetotaler in 2026. On New Year’s Eve, I deleted X and Instagram from my phone.” – Vivek Ramaswamy

🎯IMPACT: Ramaswamy’s move is intended to connect directly with voters and avoid the distortions of social media feedback.

IN FULL

Republican candidate for Ohio governor Vivek Ramaswamy has deleted his X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts, framing the move as a personal New Year’s resolution for 2026. Ramaswamy stated that although his campaign staff will continue to post on those platforms, he personally plans to prioritize face-to-face conversations with voters.

“I plan to become a social-media teetotaler in 2026. On New Year’s Eve, I deleted X and Instagram from my phone,” he wrote in The Wall Street Journal, arguing: “There’s a fine line between using the internet to distribute your message and inadvertently allowing constant internet feedback to alter your message. That isn’t using social media; it’s letting social media use you.”

The 2024 Republican primary contender complained that the posts you are most likely to see on social media “are the most negative and bombastic, because they’re most likely to receive rapid ‘likes’ and ‘reposts’– and that drives revenue for social media content creators.”

Ramaswamy alluded to some of the criticism he has received on social media in recent months, for instance, after arguing that American tech firms hire foreigners over locals because “American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence,” that school should be year-round, and that “your lineage and your genetics tied to the blood and soil of the country” are irrelevant to what it means to be an American.

“In 2025 I saw a spate of shocking racial slurs and worse on social media. Yet that same year I visited tens of thousands of voters across all of Ohio’s 88 counties–from inner cities to farms, union halls to factories, Republican rallies to one-on-one discussions with protesters–and I didn’t hear a single bigoted remark from an Ohio voter the entire year,” Ramaswamy stressed.

He also cited a “recent report revealed that engagement with the X account of the now-notorious white nationalist Nick Fuentes shows signs of being ‘unusually fast, unusually concentrated and unusually foreign in origin.’ Another investigation showed that hundreds of bots drove the pro-Democrat #BlueCrew hashtag, amplifying false claims that the assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pa., was staged.”

Ramawamy suggested that there is an echo chamber effect on social media, where users are repeatedly shown content that aligns with their existing views, thereby developing a distorted picture of public sentiment. While he said that he is not advising others to quit social media, h encouraged fellow politicians to be cautious about relying on it as a measure of public opinion.

In a lighter moment, he acknowledged that if this resolution follows the pattern of previous ones, he “might be back to scrolling X by March.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 6, 2026
News

European Leaders Claim They Will Defend Greenland as Danes Say U.S. Takeover Would End NATO.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration reiterated its intentions to acquire Greenland from Denmark, with the Danes claiming a takeover would “end” NATO and European leaders signing a joint statement in support of the Scandinavian country.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, U.S. Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller, and leaders in seven European nations.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made over the weekend and into Tuesday, with reactions from Europe and the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

🎯IMPACT: European allies expressed strong opposition, emphasizing sovereignty and collective NATO security principles.

IN FULL

The United States has renewed its focus on Greenland, with President Donald J. Trump emphasizing the territory’s importance to American national security amid growing Arctic tensions. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” Trump said on Sunday.

These statements follow heightened worries over regional security and strategic positioning in the Arctic as China and Russia encroach on the region. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller has reinforced this view, declaring: “It is the formal position of the U.S. government that Greenland should be part of the U.S.”

Greenland is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark, and European leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Britain have published a joint statement with the Danes insisting that “Greenland belongs to its people [and it] is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

“Security in the Arctic must… be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them,” the statement says.

Separately, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioned that “If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops… including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.” However, Miller has dismissed such rhetoric, arguing that “Nobody’s going to fight the U.S. over the future of Greenland.”

With around 57,000 residents, Greenland enjoys broad internal autonomy while relying on Denmark for defense and international affairs. Most Greenlanders are ethnically native Inuit, also known as Eskimos, and want independence from Denmark—although not if it means losing their funding from the Scandinavian country, which accounts for a large share of the Greenlandic economy. It is feasible that the U.S., with a far larger economy than Denmark, could offer the Greenlanders a superior deal in exchange for some form of protectorate status, despite current surveys indicating resistance to being incorporated into the U.S.

Image by Hannes Grobe.

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January 6, 2026
Crime
News

Trump Freezes $10 BILLION in These Democrat-Run States Amid Childcare Scandal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has announced a freeze on $10 billion in childcare subsidies to five Democrat-led states due to allegations of massive fraud.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, journalist Nick Shirley, and state authorities in Minnesota, New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The freeze impacts federal funding to Democrat-led states, with Minnesota at the center of the allegations.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Democrat-led states and governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch.” – Andrew Nixon, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesman

🎯IMPACT: $10 billion in federal subsidies, including funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Child Care Development Fund, will be frozen.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has paused more than $10 billion in federal funding for child care and social services programs in five states led by Democrats—Minnesota, New York, California, Illinois, and Colorado—citing concerns over fraud and improper use of taxpayer dollars. This comes amid ongoing investigations into welfare fraud, particularly in Minnesota, where a report by independent journalist Nick Shirley highlighted issues at certain daycare centers operated by members of the Somali community.

The withheld amounts break down as approximately $7 billion from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, $2.4 billion from the Child Care Development Fund, and $870 million from social services block grants. These funds support supposedly low-income families with child care costs and related assistance. The decision extends a previous pause of $185 million in yearly funding specifically for Minnesota daycare providers.

Minnesota officials have identified multiple welfare fraud cases over recent years, but whistleblowers say the Walz administration was reluctant to investigate them and threatened staff who pressed the issue with retaliation. Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), stated, “Democrat-led states and governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch. Under the Trump administration, we are ensuring that federal taxpayer dollars are being used for legitimate purposes.”

Federal authorities have obtained numerous convictions tied to fraud involving the Feeding Our Future nonprofit in Minnesota, where several associated daycares also functioned as meal distribution sites.

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January 6, 2026
News

House GOP Representative Doug LaMalfa Passes Away at 65.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) has passed away at the age of 65.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Doug LaMalfa, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and LaMalfa’s family.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced January 6, 2026. LaMalfa represented a district in California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America. Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Jill, and their children,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer.

🎯IMPACT: LaMalfa’s passing reduces the House Republican majority to 218-213, leaving the GOP with a slim margin to pass legislation along party lines.

IN FULL

Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) has passed away at the age of 65. LaMalfa, who represented California‘s 1st congressional district and served as chair of the Congressional Western Caucus, was known for his advocacy on behalf of rural America.

The news was confirmed by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), where he expressed his condolences: “Jacquie and I are devastated about the sudden loss of our friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America. Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Jill, and their children.”

LaMalfa’s death reduces the House Republican majority to 218-213. This development, combined with the recent resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), leaves Republicans with a narrower margin, allowing them to lose only two votes to pass legislation along party lines.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 6, 2026
Corruption
Politics

Trump Says California ‘More Corrupt Than Minnesota’ Amid Federal Fraud Investigation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced that a fraud investigation into California has begun, citing corruption under Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Gov. Newsom, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Tuesday morning, with the investigation involving multiple Democrat-led states.

💬KEY QUOTE: “California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible??? The Fraud Investigation of California has begun.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Trump administration is moving to freeze $10 billion in welfare funding from five Democratic-led states over fraud concerns.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has announced that his administration has launched an investigation into allegations of fraud in California, contending that the state, under Governor Gavin Newsom (D), is “more corrupt than Minnesota.” In a Tuesday post on Truth Social, President Trump stated, “California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible??? The Fraud Investigation of California has begun.”

On Monday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) abandoned his reelection bid amid a growing scandal involving widespread fraud linked to the Somali community and rising pressure from fellow Democrats. Federal prosecutors have estimated that over $9 billion in taxpayer dollars may have been stolen through social services fraud in the state.

Newsom is widely considered one of the more prominent contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, and he has tried to position himself as a partisan foil to President Trump over the last year. While the California governor scored a key victory in November of last year with the adoption of Proposition 50—a constitutional amendment passed by voters that temporarily suspends the state’s redistricting commission, allowing the legislature to redraw district lines—Newsom has also faced several political setbacks involving public corruption and illegal immigration.

Late last year, Dana Williamson, who served as Newsom‘s chief of staff until December 2024, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and charged with public corruption. The charges, part of a federal indictment, accuse Williamson and her co-conspirators of engaging in a scheme involving wire and bank fraud. Additionally, the Newsom administration was forced to admit it had unlawfully issued commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to an estimated 17,000 illegal immigrants, and subsequently moved to revoke the permits after facing pressure from the Trump White House.

The Trump administration moved to freeze $10 billion in welfare funding on Monday for five Democratic-led states—California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York—due to concerns over fraud. Programs affected include the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and the Social Services Block Grant program.

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January 5, 2026
Immigration
News

Venezuela Still Taking Deportation Flights From Trump Despite Maduro Arrest.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is continuing deportation flights to Venezuela despite its arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, and Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Deportation flights are ongoing, with key statements made on January 5, 2026, and during a press event aboard Air Force One.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The great news for those who are here from Venezuela on Temporary Protected Status is that they can now go home with hope for their country.” – Tricia McLaughlin

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. is working to stabilize Venezuela while ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 500,000 Venezuelans in the U.S.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has confirmed that deportation flights to Venezuela are continuing, even following the recent arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. The administration says the flights are part of a broader effort to reverse illegal immigration while supporting stability in Venezuela.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “The great news for those who are here from Venezuela on Temporary Protected Status is that they can now go home with hope for their country.” Her remarks followed the administration’s decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 500,000 Venezuelans, a move intended to encourage voluntary returns and enable forcible deportations.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to allow the removal of TPS protections for about 350,000 Venezuelans, arguing that conditions in the country have changed and that deportations could proceed safely. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported an increase in enforcement actions, including the deportation of nearly 200 Venezuelan nationals described by officials as dangerous criminals in a single week.

President Donald J. Trump addressed the issue while speaking aboard Air Force One, asserting that the United States is “in charge” of Venezuela and that elections would take place there “at the right time.” He emphasized the importance of stability in neighboring countries, particularly regarding energy production, adding, “This is Venezuela, our area, the ‘Donroe Doctrine.’”

Venezuela under Maduro briefly signaled resistance to accepting deportation flights after U.S. comments about restricting its airspace last month, but ultimately agreed to receive them. Since the restart of flights, thousands of Venezuelan migrants have been returned.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez has publicly called for dialogue with Washington, inviting cooperation on development efforts. Rodríguez said, “Our people and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.”

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January 5, 2026
News

Maduro’s Capture Could Be ‘Beginning of the End’ for Cuba’s Communist Regime. Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was captured over the weekend, sparking speculation about its impact on Cuba and other allied regimes.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Maduro’s capture occurred over the weekend, with potential regional ripple effects in Cuba and Nicaragua.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Cuba needs Venezuelan oil. They no longer have the resources that will be provided by Venezuela.” – Rick Crawford

🎯IMPACT: Maduro’s capture weakens the “communist triad” of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and may influence American adversaries further afield like Iran, Russia, and especially China.

IN FULL

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) said the weekend capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces could trigger sweeping political consequences across the region, including destabilizing Cuba and other allied governments.

Crawford described the development as “the beginning of the end” for Cuba’s communist regime, pointing to the deep economic and security ties that have bound Havana and Caracas for years. Cuba has relied heavily on subsidized Venezuelan oil while supplying Venezuela with medical personnel, intelligence support, and military assistance in return. With Maduro now in U.S. custody, Crawford said that the relationship may be coming to an abrupt halt. “Cuba needs Venezuelan oil. They no longer have the resources that will be provided by Venezuela,” he said.

Maduro was captured during a U.S. operation announced by President Donald J. Trump and appeared before a federal court in the United States on Monday, where he faces charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. His arrest marked a dramatic escalation in U.S. efforts against the Venezuelan strongman, who had ruled the country for more than a decade amid economic collapse, mass emigration, and widespread allegations of corruption and repression.

Cuba, a one-party communist state led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, has been under a U.S. economic embargo since 1962, when President John F. Kennedy restricted trade between the two countries. Crawford suggested that Cuba’s internal pressures could intensify if Venezuelan support disappears, particularly as the island struggles with energy shortages and economic stagnation.

Crawford added that the fallout from Maduro’s capture could extend beyond Cuba. “This also plays into what I call the communist triad of the Western hemisphere, that is Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. This probably doesn’t bode well for Nicaragua… I’m sure they’re watching anxiously, wondering when the next boot is gonna fall and where they’ll be in relation to that,” he said.

He also cautioned U.S. adversaries aligned with these governments, saying, “Iran, Russia, China, you’re playing in the wrong sandbox.” The warning comes as Cuba has deepened ties with Beijing in recent years, including plans to host a Chinese Communist Party intelligence-gathering facility on the island.

Image by Pierre Marshall.

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January 5, 2026
Immigration

ICE Has Smashed Its Recruitment Goal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has hired over 12,000 new agents, surpassing its original goal of 10,000 hires within a year.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, DHS, President Donald J. Trump, and new immigration enforcement agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The hiring numbers were announced on Saturday, with recruitment efforts taking place nationwide and funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The good news is that thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers and agents on the ground across the country. That’s a 120 percent increase in our workforce. And that’s in just about four months.” – Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs

🎯IMPACT: The hiring surge aims to strengthen immigration enforcement and fulfill President Trump’s campaign promise to remove the millions of illegal immigrants allowed into the U.S. under former President Joe Biden.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has surpassed its goal of hiring 10,000 new agents by the end of 2025. According to DHS, the agency tasked with immigration enforcement has onboarded over 12,000 new agents after receiving over 220,000 applications for positions within the agency.

Last August, ICE launched an aggressive recruitment drive that included incentives such as signing bonuses of up to $50,000 and student loan repayment programs. Additionally, the age cap for applicants has been removed, allowing people as young as 18 to apply. The surge in new hires bolsters President Donald J. Trump’s moves to enforce federal immigration laws and deport millions of illegal immigrants who were allowed entry into the country under former President Joe Biden.

“The good news is that thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump signed, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers and agents on the ground across the country,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “That’s a 120 percent increase in our workforce. And that’s in just about four months.”

New congressional appropriations backed the hiring spree for DHS and ICE, approved through the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. Notably, the bill allocated $170 billion toward immigration enforcement and infrastructure, including funding for ICE to expand detention capacity, upgrade technology systems, and increase staffing levels.

In December of last year, DHS revealed that 2.5 million people without legal status have left the United States since Trump returned to office in January. According to the department, ICE has carried out over 605,000 formal removals, most involving individuals with pending criminal charges or convictions, while close to two million others have opted to return home, some through the agency’s CBP Home mobile app, which offers no-cost flights and a $1,000 stipend for voluntary departures.

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