Ex-ICE Attorney Claims Immigration Officer Training Program is ‘Broken’

A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney testified before Congress that the agency's training program for new deportation officers has serious flaws. Ryan Schwank, who resigned in February, claimed the program has been shortened and stripped of essential components, while the Department of Homeland Security denies cutting any requirements.

WASHINGTON — A former attorney with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who oversaw the preparation of new deportation officers testified Monday that the agency’s educational program for recruits is “deficient, defective and broken.”

Ryan Schwank made these statements at a congressional hearing organized by Democratic lawmakers during a period of heightened examination of officers implementing President Donald Trump’s large-scale deportation plans. Advocacy organizations and Democratic officials have criticized deportation officers for allegedly using unnecessary force during immigrant arrests, confronting people who film their actions, and disregarding constitutional rights protections.

The Department of Homeland Security is quickly expanding its deportation officer workforce, sparking worries that proper vetting and preparation of candidates may be compromised to expedite their deployment. Department officials rejected claims of shortcuts, stating that new officers receive instruction in weapon handling, force protocols, and safe arrest procedures.

Schwank appeared before a panel organized by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut and Representative Robert Garcia from California. According to Blumenthal’s office, Schwank left the agency on February 13.

“I am here because I am duty-bound to report the legally required training program at the ICE academy is deficient, defective and broken,” Schwank said.

He further alleged that the department has dismantled the preparation program for new deportation officers while being dishonest about their actions.

“DHS told the public the new cadets receive all the training they need to perform their duties, that no critical material or standards have been cut,” he said. “This is a lie. ICE made the program shorter, and they removed so many essential parts that what remains is a dangerous husk.”

This marked the third public hearing conducted by the two Democrats to investigate how ICE prepares thousands of new officers and evaluate their behavior in the field. Both lawmakers have consistently criticized ICE officer conduct. Opening the session, Blumenthal praised witnesses, including Schwank, for their “courage and strength.”

According to Blumenthal’s office, Schwank was among two unnamed whistleblowers who previously revealed a new ICE directive allowing deportation officers to enter immigrants’ homes by force for removal purposes without court-approved warrants.

His office also made public numerous documents concerning deportation officer preparation, noting the materials came from whistleblowers.

Blumenthal’s office stated the documents revealed “drastic cuts” to training and evaluation procedures for new deportation officers. These modifications affect testing requirements, required coursework, and training duration for new officers.

“The training has been truncated and reduced, both in numbers of courses and substantive policy,” the senator said at the start of the hearing.

Homeland Security firmly rejected claims that training requirements have been eliminated or standards lowered for officers. ICE recruits complete 56 days of preparation plus an average of 28 days of field training, the department stated Monday responding to forum allegations.

“Despite false claims from the media and sanctuary politicians, no training hours have been cut. Our officers receive extensive firearm training, are taught de-escalation tactics, and receive Fourth and Fifth Amendment comprehensive instruction,” department spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in an e-mailed statement.

She added that ICE recruits are supervised during field work following academy completion.

The department has “streamlined training to cut redundancy and incorporate technology advancements, without sacrificing basic subject matter content,” Bis said.

According to Democratic Senate staff analysis, the documents reveal ICE is removing more than twelve “practical exams” previously required for deportation officer certification. ICE also appears to have eliminated several classes from preparation, including “Use of Force Simulation Training.”

Based on the documents, deportation officers seem to be receiving reduced overall training hours.