ICE officer training is ‘deficient’ and ‘broken’
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawyer says the agency’s training for new deportation officers is broken as ICE ramps up its hiring. Ryan Schwank was testifying Monday during a public forum hosted by Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Robert Garcia. Schwank says the basic training program is “deficient” and officers need clear limits on their authority. Blumenthal’s office cites documents showing fewer practical exams and dropped classes for new ICE recruits. The Department of Homeland Security denies cutting corners and says new officers get trained on firearms, use-of-force policies and how to safely arrest people.