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USCIS gets record 35,000 applicants for Homeland Defenders
The agency says the unprecedented response marks the largest hiring surge in its history as it moves to expand its frontline immigration workforce.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 07, Nov 2025
- 15:00 EST
- 20
Representative Image / Wikipedia
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received more than 35,000 applications for its newly launched Homeland Defenders program—the largest number ever recorded for a single job in the agency’s history.
Launched on Sept. 30, the recruitment drive seeks to hire individuals for frontline positions responsible for interviewing immigration applicants, reviewing petitions, and identifying criminal or ineligible individuals.
The agency said the overwhelming response followed an aggressive national social media campaign encouraging Americans to join USCIS and “restore integrity to the nation’s immigration system” after years of policy turbulence.
“The Homeland Defender Campaign has already been a tremendous success and has resonated with the American people,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “In addition to seeing a historic number of applications, we are starting to bring on applicants at a rapid pace. These candidates are not just applying for a job—they are applying to guard our values and defend our homeland.”
The agency has already made hundreds of job offers and expects to onboard the first group of Homeland Defenders in the coming weeks. Many of the selectees are former law enforcement officers and military veterans with experience in public safety and community protection.
The program offers signing bonuses of up to $50,000, student loan repayment, flexible duty locations, and remote work options for certain roles. Entry-level positions do not require a college degree, and the agency has implemented an expedited hiring process to fill vacancies more efficiently.
According to the official job announcement on USAJobs, the Homeland Defender roles fall under the General Schedule (GS) 5–7 pay grades, with salaries ranging from approximately $50,000 to $81,000 depending on experience and location.
USCIS says the campaign reflects a broader Department of Homeland Security effort to strengthen enforcement, detect fraud, and ensure immigration benefit decisions advance national security and public safety.
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