Immigration Enforcement Agent Job Description

1) A bachelor's degree is required by ICE, so earn your degree before applying. A Criminal Justice or Homeland Security degree is desirable. These are common degrees for Immigration Enforcement Agents (ICE agents).
2) Review the additional Immigration Enforcement Agent job requirements below to make sure you qualify.
3) Hiring of ICE agents is done through Special Agent in Charge (SAC) offices located throughout the United States. You'll need to contact the SAC in your city to request application material and to go through the hiring process. The SAC contact information can be found at ice.gov/about/investigations/contact.htm.

Immigration Enforcement Agent Job Description and Salary

Immigration inspectors interview people seeking entry into the United States. Customs inspectors enforce the laws governing imports and exports by inspecting cargo, baggage, ships, vehicles, trains and aircraft entering and leaving the U.S. Working environments range from airports and train stations to federal facilities (like correction centers) and field work.

The primary duties of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents, also referred to as ICE Agents, are to enforce customs and immigration laws, and to protect federal facilities and commercial airlines. Immigration Enforcement Agent responsibilities also include such duties as the apprehension, processing, detention and deportation of illegal or criminal aliens.

With the threat of terrorism on everyone's radar, immigration enforcement agents are proud to be preventing terrorists and weapons of terror from entering the United States. ICE agents also keep smugglers from bringing illegal drugs into the U.S.

According to USAJobs.com (the government website for federal jobs), immigration officers earn between $27,431 and $54,028, depending on whether they start at the GS-5, GS-7 or GS-9 level. For the GS-5 level, you must either have three years of related experience or a bachelor's degree. One year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level (or one year of graduate school) will qualify you for the GS-7 level. If you worked for the federal government in a GS-7 level or have earned a master's degree, you'll qualify for GS-9 pay level and responsibilities.

Qualifications to Become an Immigration Enforcement Agent

Educational requirements for an Immigration Customs Enforcement Agent include a bachelor's degree in any subject. However, common degrees for Immigration Agents are criminal justice or homeland security degrees. You must have resided in the United States three of the last five years and be a United States citizen. You must be under 40 years old and must have work experience— preferably with the federal government—pass a written test, a background check, a physical exam and possess a valid driver's license.

Request information from University of Phoenix to learn how a degree in criminal justice or related programs can help you succeed as an Immigration Customs Enforcement Agent.

Immigration Customs Enforcement Agent - ICE Agent basic training at one of the many district training centers across the country is mandatory. In basic training, new hires learn everything from immigration law and police techniques to Spanish language skills.

If you enjoy a fast-paced, challenging and ever-changing work environment, then a career as an Immigration Enforcement Agent might be your best bet. Help welcome newcomers to the U.S. while keeping criminals out. Learn more about becoming an Immigration Customs Enforcement Agent by checking the ICE website. Then request free information from our affiliated colleges and universities offering a range of criminal justice, homeland security and other related degrees. To read more about other immigration jobs click here.

— Fully Accredited Criminal Justice Degree Programs —

Related Degrees for an Immigration Enforcement Agent Career

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Liberty University Online: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Online Education Database has ranked Liberty University among the top 10 online colleges in the nation for two years in a row.

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix will help thoroughly prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Organizational Security & Management
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

American InterContinental University Online: The BSCJ in Special Populations is an accelerated Bachelor's Degree program that will prepare you for careers in federal government, such as an Air Marshal.

Associate's Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

Baker College Online: Baker College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, which is an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Capella University: Capella University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

BS in Public Safety - Homeland Security
BS in Public Safety - Security Management
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
BS in Public Safety - Criminal Justice
Master's of Science - Public Safety Leadership
PhD in Public Safety Leadership

Request free information from Capella University to learn more.

Kaplan University:

AAS in CJ
AAS in Fire Science
Bachelor's in - CJ, Corrections, Computer Crime, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Psychology, Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, Law Enforcement, CJ Administration and Management, Fire & Emergency Management, Fire Science, International & Comparative CJ

Keiser University:

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
Master's in Criminal Justice

Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Keiser University.

Lincoln College Online:

BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.

Portland State University:

Bachelor's in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Rasmussen College Online:

Associate's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Associate's in Criminal Justice
AACJ - Corrections
AACJ - Crime Scene Evidence
AACJ - Law Enforcement
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Certificate - Police Officer Education

St Leo University: Undergrad Studies - Distance Learning

Bachelor's in Criminology

Strayer University: Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

B.S. in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security and Emergency Management
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security Technology
B.S. in IS: Homeland Security and Information Systems
Certificate in IS: Homeland Security and Information Systems
Diploma in IS: Homeland Security and Information Systems
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Criminal Justice Administration

Utica College Online:

Certificate in Financial Crimes Investigator
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Cybercrime Investigations and Forensics
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Information Assurance
Bachelor's in Economic Crime Investigation
MBA in Economic Crime and Fraud Management

Virginia College:

AA in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity

Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Virginia College.

Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination
PhD in Public Policy - Homeland Security

Request information about a Walden University degree program.

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Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.