ICE Whistleblower Reveals 'Secret Orders' of Recruits to Violate Constitution as Training Slashed by 200 Hours

An ICE whistleblower has revealed shocking allegations about the federal agency's training practices, claiming recruits are being instructed to violate the Constitution.

Training Cuts and Secret Orders

According to the former instructor, Ryan Schwank, the standard training programme has been slashed by more than 200 hours, leaving cadets ill-prepared for their duties.

Schwank, who served as an assistant chief counsel and volunteered to teach law at the ICE Academy in Glenco, Georgia, told congressional committees that he was instructed to educate cadets on practices that directly contradict constitutional safeguards. 'On my first day, I received secretive orders to teach new cadets to violate the Constitution by entering homes without a judicial warrant,' he stated.

The whistleblower highlighted that the ICE training programme, originally spanning 584 hours, has been cut by 240 hours, removing critical lessons on constitutional law, lawful arrests, use of force, firearms, and limits of authority. Schwank emphasised that the cuts were not minor adjustments but significant omissions that render the programme a 'dangerous husk'. New cadets reportedly graduate without a clear understanding of fundamental legal principles required for safe and lawful policing.

Risks to Officers and Public

Schwank explained that the insufficient training places both officers and the public at serious risk. Without proper instruction, cadets may make life-or-death decisions without the knowledge necessary to act lawfully. 'All to satisfy an administration demanding they train thousands of new officers before the end of the year,' Schwank said.

He added that some graduates move directly from the academy to field assignments, armed and unsupervised, with minimal oversight. Such practices, according to the whistleblower, not only endanger communities but also erode trust in law enforcement institutions.

Also, lawmakers were warned that these deficiencies could lead to unlawful arrests, constitutional violations, and fatalities if not addressed promptly.

Lack of Accountability

The whistleblower accused ICE and the Department of Homeland Security of deliberately misleading Congress and the public about the scope and integrity of the training programme. According to Schwank, cadets were taught to accept unlawful orders without question, with instructions delivered secretly and accompanied by threats of job loss for disobedience.

'ICE is teaching cadets to violate the Constitution, and they were attempting to cloak it in secrecy by demanding that I lie about it,' Schwank testified. He urged reforms to restore legal compliance and proper oversight at the Academy, emphasising that constitutional rights cannot be compromised without consequence.

Law enforcement experts say the situation underscores the dangers of prioritising recruitment quotas over rigorous and ethical training.

Calls for Reform

The revelations have prompted urgent calls for a thorough review of ICE training practices. Schwank's testimony has drawn attention from congressional committees and public advocacy groups, demanding accountability and immediate corrective measures. Analysts warn that, without reforms, ICE risks producing officers unaware of legal boundaries, compromising civil liberties, and undermining public confidence.

Observers note that the whistleblower's claims, if verified, represent a serious breach of constitutional obligations and federal law. They stress that training programs for federal officers exist not as formalities but as critical safeguards to ensure lawful, ethical, and competent enforcement. Now, the public and legislators alike are now watching closely as scrutiny of ICE intensifies.