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John Leguizamo publicly criticized Dean Cain after the Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman actor revealed he now works for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In an August 8 Instagram video, Leguizamo said, “What kind of loser volunteers to be an ICE officer?”
“What a moron. Dean Cain, your pronouns are has/been,” he continued.
- John Leguizamo criticized Dean Cain for joining ICE, calling him a 'loser' and mocking his choice publicly.
- Dean Cain revealed he works for ICE, promoting recruitment incentives like signing bonuses and student loan payback.
- Congress approved nearly $30 billion for ICE operations, tripling the agency’s budget amid aggressive hiring.
- Experts warn ICE’s new funding and rapid hiring may target non-criminals, stretching resources thin on serious threats.
John Leguizamo criticized fellow actor Dean Cain for working with ICE
Image credits: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
On Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver also ridiculed ICE’s decision to pin a badge on “the 59-year-old star of The Dog Who Saved Christmas.”
“Although, on the plus side, no need for that guy to wear a mask, because the chances of anyone recognizing him are f*****g zero.”
“If all you can get is Dean Cain, you are f****d.”
Cain fired back on X, accusing Oliver of stealing the joke.
“There’s an old saying in Hollywood, if all you can get is @RealDeanCain, you are fucked.” — John Oliver
— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) August 11, 2025
On August 5, Cain told fans that he enlisted himself as an officer for ICE and encouraged his followers to join the anti-immigration agency. He highlighted incentives, including a $50,000 signing bonus, student loan repayment, and retirement benefits.
“So, if you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America’s streets. I like that. I voted for that,” Cain said.
“They need your help. We need your help, to protect our homeland and our families.”
Cain’s announcement comes as ICE launched an aggressive recruitment campaign. The agency, backed by new funding from Congress, aims to hire 10,000 agents to help carry out its directives.
Image credits: Omar Vega/Getty Images
This funding comes after Congress passed a bill that provides ICE with nearly $30 billion for deportation and enforcement operations, triple the agency’s previous budget.
Last month, the Senate passed the Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cut $9 billion in federal spending for foreign aid and public media.
DHS has also waived age limits for recruits, saying, “Even more patriots will qualify to join ICE in its mission.”
JOIN ICE!!
We need your help to protect 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cXcUaDcDhY— Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) August 5, 2025
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promoted the initiative, saying, “Your country is calling you to serve at ICE. In the wake of the Biden administration’s failed immigration policies, your country needs dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country.”
Congress passed a bill providing ICE with nearly $30 billion for deportation and enforcement operations
Image credits: Luke Johnson/Getty Images
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said over 80,000 people have applied since the campaign began.
However, Jason Houser, a former DHS official, told NBC News that he found the claim that ICE officers would directly equate to better public safety concerning.
“ICE now has this new gorge of money. But what is the public safety and national security threat? Is it the individuals ICE is now arresting? Many of them are not criminals; a lot of them have no removal orders,” Houser said.
Kathleen Bush-Joseph from the Migration Policy Institute supported this warning. “Arresting people who are not public safety or national security threats because of the current atmosphere of limited resources just simply means that there are fewer resources for prioritizing people who pose bigger threats,” she told NBC News.
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ICE data shows that almost half of detainees have no criminal record at the time of their detainment or arrest.
The recruitment push is happening alongside the Trump administration’s $200 million national campaign urging undocumented immigrants to “leave now” or face arrest and deportation.
Ads in English and Spanish, featuring Secretary Noem, warn, “Leave now. If you don’t, we will find you and we will deport you. You will never return.”
The climate of fear has led to a rise in self-deportations, where families, including those consisting of U.S. citizens, are choosing to leave to avoid separation. NBC News reports that 57,186 migrants are currently in ICE detention, with deportations averaging 14,700 per month.
ICE is also reassigning personnel from federal law enforcement agencies and the National Guard. Sources told NBC the number goes up to 5,000 and 21,000 personnel, respectively.
While the DHS insists all individuals targeted are in the country illegally, the rapid hiring could lower vetting standards and weaken other law enforcement areas.
The Trump administration’s $200 million campaign urges undocumented immigrants to ‘leave now’ or face arrest
Image credits: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
ICE recently gained access to Medicaid records under an agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
This gives the agency data—including social security numbers, racial and ethnic information, home addresses, names, and birthdates—about the 71 million people registered under it.
Some critics believe there is a risk of politicizing medical data.
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