ICE receives more than 150,000 job applications as Trump crackdown on illegal immigration intensifies

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement has received more than 150,000 job applications as President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration continues.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem - who was recently the subject of a 'savage' South Park skit - announced earlier this week that more than 150,000 Americans have applied to work at ICE to 'defend the homeland'.

“ICE has received more than 150,000 applications from patriotic Americans who want to defend the homeland by removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the U.S.,” Noem said.

“We have already issued more than 18,000 tentative job offers. Americans are answering their country’s call to serve and help remove murderers, pedophiles, rapists, terrorists, and gang members from our country.”

Kristi Noem announced there had been over 150,000 applications (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

ICE launched a huge recruitment push earlier in the year after Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' granted $75 billion in funding to crack down on illegal immigration.

Trump's bill also included the extension of big tax cuts, cutting tax on tips and overtime, mass deportation, slashing Medicaid and food stamps, cuts to green energy and more.

The DHS explain some incentives to working within the ICE include a signing bonus of up to $50,000; student loan repayments and forgiveness options; 25 percent Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) for HSI Special Agents; Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime for Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Deportation Officers and enhanced retirement benefits.

Donald Trump announced the 'Big Beautiful Bill' earlier this year (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A job ad explains: "This is a pivotal moment in our country's history, and your experience and expertise are vitally needed. On behalf of a grateful nation, we proudly call upon you to serve your country."

In August, the Trump administration announced plans to review the paperwork of more than 55 million people to determine whether they have racked up any violations that could stop them from being in the United States.

The group includes tourists who are visiting the country, students granted permission to study, and residents living in the US on green cards.

ICE has been on a huge recruitment drive (Bryan Cox/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images)

According to Julia Gelatt, associate director of the US immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, the 55 million figure appears to include people who are currently not in the US, but have tourist visas which allow them to enter America multiple times.

There are a number of countries which allow residents to visit the US without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, but tourists who are not eligible for the program must have a visa to visit.

If the visa holder is found to have violated the terms of the visa, it will be revoked. If they're currently in the US, the holder could be at risk of being deported.