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Immigration Enforcement Agent Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Marine Interdiction Agent

Lone Tree, CO ยท On-site

$51K - $92K/yr

... enforcement career who want to help protect the nation's borders ... Agents detect and prevent illegal entry, smuggling activities, and other violations of immigration ...

Border Patrol Agent

$65K - $124K/yr

... enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters ... S. Border Patrol Agent Want to speak to an actual Agent? Click here to contact one of our ...

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Immigration Enforcement Agent information

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How much do immigration enforcement agent jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for immigration enforcement agent in the United States is $21.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $25.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an immigration enforcement agent do?

An Immigration Enforcement Agent is responsible for investigating, apprehending, and removing individuals who violate immigration laws in the United States. They work with other federal, state, and local agencies to locate and detain undocumented immigrants, process deportations, and prevent illegal entry into the country. Their duties often involve surveillance, conducting interviews, gathering evidence, and preparing cases for court proceedings. Agents may also participate in raids, transportation of detainees, and community outreach. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of federal laws and procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an immigration enforcement agent?

To thrive as an Immigration Enforcement Agent, you need a solid understanding of immigration laws, investigative procedures, and law enforcement techniques, often supported by relevant education or federal training. Familiarity with law enforcement databases, case management systems, and tools like firearms and protective equipment is typical. Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help agents effectively interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and handle challenging situations. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring lawful enforcement, maintaining safety, and upholding the integrity of immigration processes.

What are some common challenges faced by immigration enforcement agents in their daily duties?

Immigration Enforcement Agents often encounter challenges such as managing high-stress situations, adapting to rapidly changing environments, and effectively communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Agents must remain vigilant and follow strict protocols while balancing enforcement with respect for individuals' rights. Additionally, the role may involve irregular hours, frequent travel, and close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to ensure successful operations.

What is the difference between Immigration Enforcement Agent vs Customs Border Patrol Agent?

AspectImmigration Enforcement AgentCustoms Border Patrol Agent
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, background check, training at Federal Law Enforcement Training CenterHigh school diploma or GED, background check, training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Work EnvironmentEnforcement of immigration laws, investigations, detention facilitiesPatrolling borders, inspecting vehicles, preventing illegal crossings
Employer & IndustryU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland SecurityU.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security

Both roles require similar credentials and training, but Immigration Enforcement Agents focus on immigration law enforcement and investigations, while Customs Border Patrol Agents primarily patrol borders and prevent illegal crossings. Understanding these differences helps job seekers choose the right career path within homeland security.

Is it hard to become an immigration enforcement agent?

Becoming an immigration enforcement agent typically requires meeting specific qualifications such as U.S. citizenship, a clean background check, and relevant education or experience. Applicants often need to pass physical fitness tests, drug screenings, and training programs, making the process competitive and demanding. Strong communication skills and knowledge of immigration laws are also important for success in this role.
More about Immigration Enforcement Agent jobs

What cities are hiring for Immigration Enforcement Agent jobs?

Cities with the most Immigration Enforcement Agent job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Immigration Enforcement Agent jobs?

The top employers for Immigration Enforcement Agent jobs are:

Infographic showing various Immigration Enforcement Agent job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,022 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Phoenix, AZ โ€ข On-site, Remote

$76K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Summary
View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.
These positions are non-bargaining unit positions.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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As a Criminal Investigator (Special Agent), you will perform the following duties:
  • Serve as a Special Agent for interagency, multi-jurisdictional, international, and/or inter-organizational inquiries and investigations.
  • Conduct investigations of marked difficulty and responsibility associated with trade, travel, finance, and immigration for combatting illicit activities associated with individuals, businesses, employers, criminal organizations or criminal conspiracies, and cyber systems and networks.
  • Utilize a combined methodology of intelligence, investigative techniques, and legal authorities to conduct investigations and associated activities.
  • Apply knowledge of the trends, laws, and investigative case development, independently or in coordination with other law enforcement officers (LEOs) or agencies to accomplish work.
  • Prepare written documentation utilizing expert knowledge in support of investigations.

Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration at 242 duty locations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations within various offices throughout the country.
You have the opportunity to identify two location preferences within the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) office area of responsibility. Note that multiple duty locations fall within the area of responsibility (AOR) of each SAC office. Please view the duty locations within each SAC AOR here. Your location preferences are NOT guaranteed. The duty locations offered will be based on the needs of the agency. If you decline the duty locations offered during the official job offer, you will be removed from further consideration.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must successfully pass a drug screen.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
  • Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation which may include a polygraph examination.
  • If referred for a polygraph, you will be required to travel at your expense to complete the polygraph exam and obtain a favorable result in order to continue in the hiring process.
  • You must complete a pre-employment medical examination which may include a psychological evaluation and be found to meet the medical standards for the position.
  • You will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement.
  • The law enforcement profession carries inherent risks and you may be required to work alone in remote areas throughout the night or at times when you may have limited communication.
  • This position requires the selectee to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 022 (g)(9)).
  • You will be required to testify at court. Law enforcement officers and agents must be able to testify without concern of impeachment.
  • The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the last day for application submission (certain exclusions apply).
  • You must have a valid driver's license prior to your final job offer.
  • ICE Criminal Investigators may use deadly force when necessary, in accordance with the law and agency policy.
  • You will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment Physical Fitness Test (PFT).
  • A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Criminal Investigator Training Program and the HSI Special Agent Training Program.
  • You will be required to maintain the ability to perform the rigorous physical requirements of the job.
  • You will be required to live within 50 miles of your duty station.

Qualifications
Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:
Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GL-09 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:
  • Assisting in conducting investigations such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, alien smuggling, production of, and distribution of child pornography, and/or child sex tourism and high technology crimes
  • Assisting in conducting investigations such as those involving computers, networks, and servers to identify potential transnational criminal activities, commercial fraud, intellectual property theft, illegal trade practices, transnational criminal gangs, VISA security programs, identity and benefit fraud, human rights violations and war crimes, cultural property/arts and antiquities, and worksite enforcement
  • Developing and enhancing inter-agency cooperation with other governmental and private sector entities; and
  • Conducting interviews and interrogations of suspects, witnesses, and informants with guidance OR

Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a LL.M., if related. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and activities necessary to do the work. OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education beyond the first full two years and experience as described above that when combined meets 100% of the requirement. Graduate level education must have been from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following:
Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:
  • Conducting investigations such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, alien smuggling, production of, and distribution of child pornography, and/or child sex tourism high technology crimes
  • Conducting investigations such as those involving computers, networks, and servers to identify potential transnational criminal activities, commercial fraud, intellectual property theft, illegal trade practices, transnational criminal gangs, VISA security programs, identity and benefit fraud, human rights violations and war crimes, cultural property/arts and antiquities, and worksite enforcement
  • Increasing and enhancing inter-agency cooperation with other governmental and private sector entities; And
  • Conducting interviews and interrogations of suspects, witnesses, and informants.

In addition to the above requirements, your resume will be reviewed to determine possession of the following competencies.
Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
Criminal Investigation: Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with criminal investigation, including evidence detection and handling and drawing appropriate factual inferences and conclusions.
Manages and Organizes Information: Identifies a need; gathers, organizes, and maintains information; determines its importance and accuracy, and communicates it by a variety of methods.
Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. AND
Writing:Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required. View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.
Education
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, quarter and semester hours earned, the institution's full name, and your full name. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.aspx.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating of your application.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in loss of consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
***Prior to the final job offer, an official transcript will be required.*********
OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Pay retention will not apply.
HSI Special Agent Basic Training: A mandatory component of continued employment is the successful completion of Basic Training, which consists of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and the HSI Special Agent Training Program (HSISAT). The training is approximately 22 weeks in total. You may be temporarily reassigned to a non-law enforcement position if you fail to complete basic training.
Physical Fitness Testing (PFT): A Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will be administered. A passing score is required prior to entry on duty (EOD). Two PFT failures will result in your removal from the hiring process, and you will no longer be eligible for consideration under this announcement. Additionally, a PFT will also be administered at FLETC d