A former official who oversaw recruitment vetting at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warned in an August 2025 whistleblower complaint that the agency was issuing final job offers before preliminary security reviews. The complaint, submitted to the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General as ICE expanded hiring, alleged that applicants received favorable preliminary suitability determinations without fingerprinting, identity verification or credit checks. It said the practice weakened safeguards against insider threats, infiltration and damage to public trust. The former official also alleged that political appointees within DHS received national security eligibility without required background investigations, citing Corey Lewandowski as an example. DHS said ICE applies the appropriate vetting regulations and evaluates available information for every applicant. The whistleblower's attorney said his client faced retaliation, spent more than 10 months on leave and retired early. The attorney said DHS had corrected some lapses but that improperly vetted agents remained on duty. DHS said ICE training will be extended to 72 days from 42 days.