Federal immigration authorities say they processed more than a thousand job seekers at a daylong hiring expo on Tuesday. At the same time, outside the expo, protesters denounced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and President Donald Trump.
ICE Deputy Assistant Director of Field Operations, Director Matt Elliston, told applicants that approximately 1,200 people attended the first day of the two-day career event at Esports Stadium Arlington. He said twelve human resources staff from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services were on hand to process candidates on-site. The event began at 8 a.m. and concluded at 5 p.m.
Elliston, speaking during a midday audience Q&A, said ICE is attempting to hire 10,000 people and has needs across all 25 field offices.
“Louisiana has the most need,” Elliston said when asked about where deportation officer staffing shortages are most severe.
He went on to explain that although applicants could secure a job at any field office, due to high demand, those willing to serve in priority areas, such as New Orleans, may receive earlier training academy slots.
ICE Deputy Assistant Director of Field Operations, Director Matt Elliston, speaking at hiring expo on August 26, 2025 – Esports Stadium Arlington
Elliston added that the “number one partners are the… local police officer[s],” though cooperation with federal immigration agencies remains a point of contention in Dallas, where city leadership has hesitated to align with ICE operations, The Dallas Express reported.
DX observed applicants ranging in age from 18 to approximately 70, with men outnumbering women by roughly 7 to 3. The Eventbrite listing stated that qualified applicants may be offered jobs on the same day.
During the Q&A, some attendees inquired whether positions might be eliminated if a future administration were to reverse Trump’s immigration policies. Elliston acknowledged the concern but said he was exploring all options for how to save as many jobs as possible, should policy change after the 2028 Presidential election.
Elliston also criticized foreign governments that he claimed were uncooperative with deportations, singling out India for slow rolling efforts to repatriate aliens.
Outside the venue, roughly a dozen protesters gathered with signs reading “Defend Democracy” and “Gestapo.”
The protest began shortly after 8:30 a.m. and dissipated around lunchtime, with no return in the afternoon. Many of the protesters appeared to be white women in their 50s and 60s. At times, they directly addressed potential applicants as they approached the building, with one woman on a bullhorn shouting at The Dallas Express reporter, who was wearing a bolo tie, “F*ck you, bolo tie.”
They left around lunchtime and have not returned as of 2:09 PM CST https://t.co/kA9Epg9oGB
— Cowtown Caller (@CowtownCaller) August 26, 2025
Another pair of protesters stationed by the parking entrance yelled at drivers, “Turn around, f*ck you! You can still turn around.”
Elliston dismissed the demonstrators as “a dozen Whole Foods protestors outside,” adding, “a stiff breeze would knock them over.”
Security at the expo was heavy and increased throughout the day. Attendees passed through metal detectors and bag checks at the entrance. Arlington police patrol cars were parked in front of the stadium, and officers were stationed at the stairs, inside the building, and in nearby lots.
The career fair follows the Trump administration’s call to expand ICE, including offering recruitment incentives of up to $50,000 and student loan repayment benefits. Earlier this month, officials stated that more than 100,000 applications had been received for ICE positions under what the administration calls the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” DX reported.
The Arlington hiring expo continues on Wednesday, closing at 4 p.m.