Criminal Justice Jobs – Law Enforcement – ICE/HSI Agent
ICE/HSI Agent Job Description
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and HSI stands for Homeland Security Investigations. The job of the agents is to enforce immigration and customs laws. Lets look at this as two different sections to make things easier to explain.
On the immigration side you will be responsible for people looking to enter the USA either legally or illegally. Your job will involve interviewing and assessing migrant applications whilst being actively involved in the investigation and apprehension of illegals as well as the processing and deportation.
Customs agents are responsible for the import and export laws as well as the safety of airlines, trains, ships and roads and are a key component against the war on terror.
You will be checking cargo for contraband, narcotics, people trafficking, weapons and anything else that breaks these laws. You will be investigating any suspicious activity relating to any violations of the import and export laws and national and public security.
In both these areas you could find yourself working in airports, train stations, harbors and ports as well as federal buildings.
As with many federal criminal justice jobs, you should expect to be relocated across the state.
ICE/HSI Agent Educational Requirements
You will need to be between age 21 and 37 at the time of acquiring the role with a Bachelors degree preferably in a relevant subject such as criminal justice. You will also probably need a couple years relevant work experience.
The application process is as follows:
- An initial written exam
- Testing Day: interview, written (report of some kind) and oral (decision making/interpersonal skills etc)
- Medical
- Physical
You will need to pass all tests to be successful. If you are successful then you will undergo a 22 week training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia.
ICE/HSI Agent Salary
ICE agents generally earn on average between $30k – $60k per year with bonuses sometimes available depending on location and assignments. There could also be a range of other benefit packages such as insurance, retirement plans and more.
ICE/HSI Agent Career Prospects
Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs covers a very large area so there will be countless and varied career prospects. For job posting you need to contact the Special Agent in Charge office as they tend not to post the jobs publicly.
