USCIS Sees Massive Increase in Applications for “Defender of the Homeland” Positions

FIRST ON FOX: WE Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has seen more than 20,000 applicants in less than two weeks for “Homeland Defender” positions as the Department of Homeland Security ramps up its hiring campaign.

The USCIS recruitment drive began on September 30, and agency sources say a recruitment drive of this magnitude has never been conducted before.

“I am thrilled with the tremendous response we have received from fiercely dedicated, pro-American patriots who want to serve as Defenders of the Fatherland“USCIS Director Joseph Edlow told Fox News Digital.

USCIS says more than 20,000 applications have been submitted to become Homeland Defenders reviewing citizenship applications. (KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

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“In just a few days, more than 20,000 Americans came forward, ready to serve on the front lines to protect our country’s sovereignty and restore the integrity of our immigration system after four disastrous years of failure. Biden administration immigration policies“, Edlow explained to Fox. “These candidates are not just candidates, they are the guardians of our values, ready to defend our homeland. We look forward to bringing this group together soon. »

The role of a homeland advocate is to determine whether legal migrants are eligible for green cards, extended visas or citizenship. Homeland Defenders was previously titled “Immigration Agent,” although the position was renamed under the Trump administration.

14,021 applications were submitted to the USCIS Service Center Operations Directorate and 8,627 applications were submitted to the USCIS Field Operations Directorate.

The USCIS website touts a potential $50,000 signing bonus, remote work, and no college degree required.

The USCIS recruitment drive saw more than 20,000 applicants in less than two weeks. (USCIS)

Fox News Digital exclusively reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruiting also saw a massive increase in applications, reaching 141,000 in early September.

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Immigration agents from various agencies under DHS have faced scrutiny and security threats from protesters and Democrats.

Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE agents “are now facing a 1,000% increase in assaults on them as they risk their lives to arrest the worst of the worst illegal alien criminals” in August.

The Trump administration’s recent deployment of agents to Chicago was widely criticized by the governor of Illinois. JB Pritzkerand has faced legal challenges as ICE agents make arrests.

President Donald Trump, left, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, right, have already traded blows over the presence of federal agents in Chicago. (Getty)

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U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings, a Biden appointee, on Tuesday strengthened ICE’s ability to make warrantless arrests in a Chicago federal court. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to send in National Guardsmen to rein in the city’s violent crime amid the deployment of ICE agents, a move that could also face legal hurdles.

At the end of September, DHS says 1.6 million illegal immigrants were voluntarily self-deported, while 400,000 were expelled by federal law enforcement.

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“The Trump administration is on track to break historic records and deport nearly 600,000 illegal aliens by the end of President Donald Trump’s first year since returning to office,” the agency said in a statement.

Preston Mizell is a writer for Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on X @MizellPreston