ICE Intensifies Recruitment Drive with $6.5 Million Ad Campaign, Sparks Online Backlash
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is aggressively pursuing a nationwide recruitment campaign, spending over $6.5 million in the past month on television and streaming advertisements targeting law enforcement officers, according too reporting from PBS NewsHour. The ads, airing in cities including Chicago, Seattle, and Atlanta, feature dramatic narration and imagery, directly appealing to officers in ”sanctuary cities” with the message: “You took an oath to protect and serve… But in sanctuary cities you’re ordered to stand down while dangerous illegals walk free – Join ICE and help us catch the worst of the worst.”
The campaign’s messaging specifically focuses on apprehending “drug traffickers, gang members, and predators.” while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims to have received over 150,000 applications and extended 18,000 tentative job offers as of September 16,transparency surrounding the initiative remains limited.
The recruitment drive has ignited online opposition,with critics expressing concern over the potential for a heavily militarized ICE force. This follows a separate instance of consumer activism targeting Disney, Hulu, and ESPN, where over 1.7 million subscriptions were reportedly canceled between September 17 and September 23 following the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, according to screenrant. The cancellations – a 436% increase compared to a normal week – occurred after Kimmel’s comments regarding Charlie kirk prompted backlash from MAGA supporters and perceived threats from the Trump-appointed FCC chair brendan Carr, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Despite the demonstrated power of consumer boycotts, Spotify has thus far resisted calls to remove ICE advertisements. A Spotify spokesperson stated the ads comply with their advertising policies, but acknowledged users can provide feedback via thumbs down ratings to influence ad preferences.
Notably, data from the american Immigration Council indicates that despite a doubling of the immigrant share of the U.S. population (from 6.2% to 13.9%) between 1980 and 2022, the overall crime rate in the U.S. declined by over 60%.
