Inside the Homeland Security Forum Where ICE Agents Talk Shit About Other Agents

HSI agents criticize ICE tactics

Current and former Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents are using a private online forum to criticize the tactics and ethics of mass deportation operations. The forum serves as a vent for 2,000 members who have posted messages dating back to 2004. These agents frequently clash with colleagues from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the division of ICE responsible for detaining and deporting immigrants. One user posted in July 2025 that ERO officers dress like "Black Ops Commandos" to perform administrative arrests of non-violent individuals. The post described officers wearing tactical body armor, balaclavas, and Punisher patches while arresting people inside secure federal buildings. These agents argue that such displays of force are unnecessary for routine immigration enforcement. HSI agents typically investigate high-level crimes like human trafficking, drug smuggling, and terrorism. Many members of the forum expressed discomfort with being pulled away from these criminal cases to assist with civil immigration matters. They argued that "living and working in the US without documentation" is a civil offense, yet they are being treated like tactical units.

Internal debate over fatal shootings

The forum became a central hub for heated debates following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January 2026. ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Good on January 7, leading to a divide among forum members regarding the use of lethal force. Some posters called for the temporary suspension of civil liberties in areas where ICE operations take place. One user, a retired agent who joined in 2018, labeled the protests following the shootings an "insurrection." Other members took a more critical view of the tactical decisions made during the encounter. A poster who joined in 2022 noted that while the shooting might be "legally good," the agent could have simply stepped aside rather than firing. The internal conflict intensified after DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Good a "domestic terrorist." One agent responded by calling the label "fake," stating that an unarmed person in a vehicle does not meet the criteria for terrorism. The thread eventually devolved into arguments over January 6 and the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.

Resource mismanagement and pay disputes

Special agents, known as 1811s, complained that the agency is wasting their specialized training on administrative tasks. One user who joined in October 2022 argued that using criminal investigators for immigration surges ruins their professional reputations. They suggested that resources would be better spent on child exploitation or gang investigations. The forum also highlights a breakdown in cooperation between different divisions within ICE and CBP.

• HSI Special Agents claim they are forced to process arrests because ERO teams are backed up or inexperienced.
• Some posters described ERO staff drinking coffee and "joking around" while investigators performed jail pickups.
• Agents in certain regions claimed ERO has "no clue" what they are doing and must rely on HSI for basic investigative contacts.

Financial frustrations are a recurring theme for the "rehired annuitants" (RHAs) who returned to service for the 2025 surge. ICE offered signing bonuses of up to $50,000 to lure retired agents back into the field. However, many posters reported that their "super checks" were significantly lower than promised, with some receiving only $600 more than their standard pay.

Broken tech and AI surveillance

Agents expressed significant frustration with the agency's technical infrastructure and the EAGLE database system. One poster in July 2025 claimed that it takes longer to process an individual through the computer system than it does to catch them. They described the Enforcement Integrated Database (EID) as a "total mess" that hinders their ability to work. Despite the complaints about general software, agents praised specific AI-powered surveillance tools.

• Mobile Fortify: A facial recognition app launched in May 2025.
• Biometric matching: The app uses CBP vetting data to match photos and "contactless" fingerprints in the field.
• AI Training: The system relies on Trusted Traveler Information and border crossing records to identify targets.

Reports from 404 Media indicate that Mobile Fortify has already misidentified at least one individual. Tech journalists have previously noted that the app was not originally designed for the specific field use cases ICE is currently pursuing. Agents on the forum, however, called it "the best thing that has come out in a long time."

Aggressive tactics and civilian monitoring

Forum members admitted that federal agents are becoming increasingly aggressive toward civilians who record their operations. One retired agent noted seeing videos of HSI and ERO agents "manhandling" civilians and confiscating phones. They expressed bewilderment, noting that such behavior would have led to prosecution earlier in their career. In Minnesota, civilians have organized to monitor and tail suspected ICE vehicles using Signal groups. Federal agents have responded by filming protesters and, in at least one instance, threatening to put a legal observer on a terror watchlist. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons recently denied the existence of such a list for US citizens during congressional testimony. The agency is currently expanding its infrastructure despite the internal unrest.

• Mega detention centers: Large-scale facilities designed to hold thousands of migrants.
• Warehouse networks: New investments in logistics to support mass deportation.
• Increased "op tempo": Agents report working 50-hour weeks with no overtime pay due to federal salary caps.

One agent warned that the situation will likely escalate as the agency prepares to fill these new facilities. They described a workforce "strung out" by high operational demands and "inept leadership." As ICE continues to expand its footprint across the US, the internal dissent within the HSI forum suggests a growing rift in the federal law enforcement community.