Dean Cain, best known for playing Superman in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark, has announced that he will soon be sworn in as an ICE agent. A vocal conservative, Cain made the decision after publicly supporting an ICE recruitment video and speaking with agency officials. The move comes amid the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown, sparking both applause and backlash.
Read: Record 78,000 Apply to Join ICE to Support Trump’s Deportation Efforts
Cain Embraces Law Enforcement Role
Dean Cain revealed during an interview on Fox News that his post-Superman life includes real-world law enforcement roles. “I’m actually a sworn deputy sheriff and a reserve police officer,” Cain said. Though not previously involved with ICE, his viral social media support for the agency prompted contact with officials, leading to his upcoming swearing-in. “Now I’ve spoken with some officials over at ICE, and I will be sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP,” he confirmed.
Also read: Trump Administration Cuts ICE Age Limit to Expand Mass Deportation
Cain Cites Patriotism
The actor framed his decision as an act of national duty. “This country was built on patriots stepping up, whether it was popular or not, and doing the right thing,” Cain said. “I truly believe this is the right thing.” He voiced strong support for Trump’s immigration stance, stating, “President Trump ran on this. He is delivering on this. This is what people voted for. It’s what I voted for and he’s going to see it through.”
Also read: Trump’s ICE Uses Different Arrest Tactics in Red and Blue States, Data Reveals
ICE Applications Surge
ICE has received a record 78,000 job applications amid Trump’s aggressive deportation push. The rise follows expanded enforcement policies, mass deportation plans, and increased federal funding. Recruitment supports efforts to swiftly remove undocumented immigrants, including interior arrests. Programs like 287(g) empower local police, while symbolic strategies like the border wall reinforce the crackdown. The overhaul reflects a growing national emphasis on immigration control, despite legal and humanitarian criticism.
Also read: Immigrant Couple Wins $80K After ICE Threats by Chicago Landlords Violate State Law
Age Limits Erased
The Trump administration has eliminated age limits for ICE recruitment, allowing anyone over 18, including retirees, to apply, as part of a major immigration crackdown backed by a $170 billion funding bill. Dubbed “Defend the Homeland,” the initiative offers massive perks like $50,000 bonuses, loan forgiveness, and dual salaries to attract recruits. Over 80,000 applications have poured in, boosted by aggressive incentives and patriotic branding. FEMA staff have been controversially reassigned to ICE hiring, raising disaster readiness concerns. Critics warn that the rapid expansion could lower standards, attract ideologically extreme individuals, and misuse federal resources.
Also read: ICE Gets Unprecedented $75B Boost Under Trump’s Immigration Bill
ICE Crackdown Intensifies
Cain’s move comes as ICE steps up enforcement under Trump. The agency is apprehending hundreds of undocumented immigrants daily, according to the latest developments. The crackdown has drawn national attention and sparked division, especially over where and how arrests are taking place.
Also read: Texas Families Fight Government Land Seizures for Border Wall
Arrest Patterns by State
A CNN analysis of ICE data shows a stark contrast in arrest methods between red and blue states. In Trump-leaning states, arrests typically occur in prisons and jails. Meanwhile, in Democratic-leaning states, agents are targeting workplaces, streets, and carrying out mass roundups, many involving individuals without criminal records.