ICE is trying to lure New York City police officers with promises of respect and bonuses.

The US Federal Immigration Service is attempting to lure away NYPD officers by posting ads on social media claiming the NYPD disrespects its employees and their families. The publication reported more details. Gothamist.

"Join an agency that values ​​you, your family, and your dedication to serving the law," reads an announcement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), posted on the agency's official accounts and addressed directly to NYPD officers.

Clicking on the link leads to a recruitment page that claims "America is under attack by criminals" and promises new employees bonuses of up to $50,000 upon signing.

The advertising campaign comes amid a staffing crisis within the NYPD, the Trump administration's escalating deportation policies, and heightened tensions between city and federal authorities.

Analysts believe ICE's offer is more emotionally charged than financially rewarding. While a $50,000 bonus sounds impressive, NYPD salaries and overtime often yield much higher incomes.

Along with the bonus, ICE offers up to $60,000 for student debt repayment and a 25% salary increase. Furthermore, the agency does not require candidates to have a college degree—a requirement that the NYPD itself recently relaxed. Meanwhile, more than 3,900 NYPD officers earned over $200,000 last year, and 21 officers exceeded the $300,000 mark.

According to job postings, ICE deportation officer salaries in New York City start at $63,000 per year and top out at $163,000.

Former NYPD officer and current professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Jillian Snyder, called the bonus "massive" and almost unprecedented for law enforcement. She noted that while the NYPD has always been associated with prestige, ICE is now enjoying a different kind of notoriety: "There's a certain media buzz around ICE, but it's going to fade sooner or later."

For some police officers, the opportunity to leave the department, which will be led by a new mayor, the socialist Zohran Mamdani, who recently won the elections, may be an incentive.

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"They don't want to work in a place where every action they take is subject to suspicion, criticism, and viewed in a purely negative context," Snyder explained.

The poaching attempt coincided with a potential escalation in tensions between the mayor's office and the police. Mamdani, who apologized to officers in 2020 for calling them racist and homophobic, stated his intention to limit police discipline powers and strengthen the influence of civilian oversight bodies. Mamdani had previously stated that he wanted the police to focus on investigating serious crimes rather than responding to mental health-related calls.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called ICE's actions "abhorrent" and accused the agency of stoking fears because of Mamdani's stance on police. He said the city needs an honest discussion about oversight of law enforcement: "It's precisely manipulation like the previous administration's that makes this conversation unnecessarily difficult."

Murad Awade, head of the New York Immigrant Coalition, said the ICE ad is divisive: "The Trump administration has no interest in the safety of New Yorkers. This ridiculous campaign is designed solely to sow discord within the police force. No officer committed to public safety would serve in an agency that terrorizes communities."

Patrick Hendry, president of the police union, said the ICE ad points to a deeper problem: "Every law enforcement agency in the country knows our officers are overworked, underpaid, and constantly under attack. We need city leaders who are willing to address these issues. Otherwise, talented officers will continue to leave."

The NYPD currently has approximately 1,300 vacancies, and the department is struggling to maintain its staff. Earlier this year, Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the city was literally "begging" people to join the force, prompting the department to lower the education requirement from 60 to 24 credits, and lower the minimum age for admission from 25 to 20,5.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to hire an additional 5,000 officers by 2028, even though the department is already struggling to retain its current 35,000 officers. Currently, the NYPD has approximately 33,700 officers.