KQED's Forum ICE’s Budget Just Tripled. What’s Next?
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Jul 21, 2025 
Garrett Graff, a seasoned journalist and historian who specializes in law enforcement and democracy, dives into the recent tripling of ICE's budget, which now surpasses even the FBI's. He paints a stark picture of this funding surge, describing it as "turbo-charging" a lawless immigration enforcement regime. Graff addresses the dangerous implications for accountability and civil liberties, and the shift in ICE's focus from serious criminals to undocumented migrants. He also highlights the community's growing fears and calls for reform amidst this unprecedented expansion.
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ICE Budget Surpasses All Others
- ICE's new budget will make it the best-funded federal law enforcement agency in the U.S., surpassing the FBI and others combined.
- Its budget rivals that of the U.S. Marine Corps, marking a massive expansion of power and resources.
Rapid ICE Growth Risks Decline
- Rapid growth in law enforcement agencies typically causes declines in hiring, training, and oversight standards.
- ICE's planned massive hiring surge risks a repeat of past disasters seen in agencies like Miami PD and D.C. Metro Police.
Post-9/11 CBP Hiring Surge Fallout
- After doubling Border Patrol agents post-9/11, CBP experienced thousands of arrests for misconduct over years.
- This surge overwhelmed the agency and created nearly two decades of corruption and crime within its ranks.