ICE whistleblower documents reveal deep cuts to training program - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Andrea CastilloFebruary 23, 2026
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The Trump administration significantly reduced training requirements for new immigration officers, according to whistleblower documents revealed Monday. These cuts include eliminating practical exams on topics like use of force and legal procedures, reducing training time by nearly half (from 75 to 42 days), and cutting entire courses such as U.S. government structure and criminal vs. removal proceedings. While ICE claims recruits receive comprehensive firearm and constitutional rights training, whistleblowers argue the program is "deficient, defective, and broken," posing risks of unlawful arrests, constitutional violations, and loss of public trust.
Whistleblower Ryan Schwank, a former ICE instructor, testified that the training cuts are dangerous, potentially leading to deaths or legal abuses. The documents show ICE has removed over 12 practical exams since July 2021, replacing them with open-book multiple-choice tests. For example, cadets no longer need to pass exams like "Judgment pistol shooting" or "Determine removability," which were previously required for graduation.
ICE maintains that recruits undergo rigorous on-the-job training and constitutional instruction. However, the whistleblower memo contradicts these claims, revealing that new officers receive nearly 250 fewer hours of training than prior cohorts. This reduction comes as ICE plans to hire over 4,000 new enforcement agents this
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/23/2026