ICE-IEA Pro/Con??

[IEAhopeful]

I would like to hear from any current or former IEAs that would like to share their experience with ICE. Were there particular aspects of the job that you especially liked/disliked? What are the benefits?
I am trying to make an informed decision. I have received a TO for the New Orleans field office. I have already completed my med/fit/drug screen.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[Kimble]

I am trying to make an informed decision.

You know that if you don't take the job, your username on this site will have been in vein. :p

I'm not an IEA or employee of ICE/DHS, but I'm curious to know if you're interested in teh IEA position because the job itself appeals to you, or because you want to take a job that brings you into the retirement system (ie. 6c/12d) that other federal agent positions have to "stop the clock?"

Either way, good luck with your decision.

[IEAhopeful]

While the retirement system and other benefits are definately appealing, I am VERY interested in the job itself. Everything I have read so far sounds great. I just know, however, that there are usually some type of horror story that people would like to tell that would paint a different picture that the ICE website.

As of now, I have no intention of declining an offer, I just wanted to know what everyone else who works there thinks.

Thanks!!
Blake:D

[Diggy]

The IEA job is a good gig , I think. But be aware that just like every other job there are duties that are not all gravy. The duties vary greatly from office to office for new hires, so keep an open mind. But after you been around a little while there are tons of opportunities for more fun stuff. IEAs do travel alot, so be prepared for that. Anything else hit me a PM.

[TXICE]

Let me preface this and say that every office is different. I think overall the job sucks. I drive a transport van all day long. All I do is pickup criminal aliens from local jails and transport them to the office, where other units process them for subsequent removal from the U.S. There is absolutely positively no proactive law enforcement duties with this job whatsoever. I personally dont consider taking custody of a body who is already in jail on local charges an "arrest". Yes, there are some differnt division you can go into, but still a far cry from law enforcement duties. The meat and potatoes of this position is CAP. This division responds to local jails and facilities and places immigration detainers on them, which holds them from being released back onto the street.

God forbid you get sent to a facility. This is where you will usually oversee the contract guard staff. It's pretty much a correctional officer position.

Having said that, the money and be govt bennies are actually pretty good. It does stop the fed clock, which is important for those seeking other positions. This job is pretty much a stepping stone position. If you go in realizing what the job entails (unlike myself) you wont be disappointed. Any other questions you may have, just hit me up.

[SHSURobert]

The IEA's that I've talked to seem to be content. No one seems overly enthusiastic about the job, but the money and for some, the travel, are what they like about the their work. I'm still going through the process myself, so we'll see how it all turns out. Good luck in your process.

[BP348]

I think a lot depends on the office. I know a few that are like TXICE and they're not really happy but I know a few in San Antonio who work the Fug Ops team and they love it.

Either way it's not going to be like working as a Police officer and I know several guys who have had a tough time making the switch.

Best thing would be to call the office you received the TO from and ask what your primary duties will be. One thing about working a facility, yes it's a lot like working as a C.O. but it also gets your name known for any Deportation Officer positions that come up. That's GS-12, plain cloths, 6c, weekends and holidays off. ;)

[Sierra]

Like has already been said, what you do is determined by where you are. I happen to like my job. It isn't what I was told it was (not very proactive) but it is still different.

I work in a LEAR unit, so I get sent out to traffic stops, shoplifters, etc to pick up bodies and bring them back for processing. I get to process bodies as well, unlike TXICE. I also do transports from jails and prisons to the office for disposition. One of our supes keeps finding details for us to do so we have something different, as well. We have gone out with gang taskforces, worked the SuperBowl, and even worked commercial vehicle enforcement.

The people in my office cycle through our CAP (Criminal Alien) unit, so we have that to look forward to as well. We make flights, both CONUS and OCONUS.

That being said, I would go absolutely bonkers just being stuck in a detention facility like Florence. Eloy is a detention facility as well, but at least they get to fly.

[IEAhopeful]

Thanks for the great info guys! Hopefully my background will clear quickly and we can get things moving.

Blake

[Patriot72]

I was wondering if the age limit will be raised from 37 to 40?
If that happens, do you have to get an age waiver if you wanted to join another agency?

I am waiting patiently for the next public IEA announcement.

Patriot72

[eighteen11]

Look into the D/O position within ICE. I believe it's a journeyman GS-12 position. That coupled with overtime and they end up making more than the Special Agents. Plus, they don't wear uniforms and are out and about a bit more.

[TXICE]

Look into the D/O position within ICE. I believe it's a journeyman GS-12 position. That coupled with overtime and they end up making more than the Special Agents. Plus, they don't wear uniforms and are out and about a bit more.

By and large, IEA's are on the street much more then D.O.'s. D.O. work is mostly done behind a desk, unless you are on a fug ops team.

[Sierra]

Look into the D/O position within ICE. I believe it's a journeyman GS-12 position. That coupled with overtime and they end up making more than the Special Agents. Plus, they don't wear uniforms and are out and about a bit more.

He needs to be able to qualify fo GL-9 first. A lot of DO slots are going to BP green, so he needs to be competitive.

[eighteen11]

By and large, IEA's are on the street much more then D.O.'s. D.O. work is mostly done behind a desk, unless you are on a fug ops team.

I agree but if rather work in plain clothes and get paid MORE, D/O is definately the way to go. :D

[BP348]

I agree but if rather work in plain clothes and get paid MORE, D/O is definately the way to go. :D

A lot of the duties are different that's why DO's are GS-12 and IEA's are GS-9's.

I've heard good and bad about both positions but everyone agrees that Fug Ops is the way to go.