How To Become an Immigration Officer in 2025

If you're exploring how to become an immigration officer, you'll need to meet specific federal hiring qualifications that combine education, background clearance, and specialized training. Immigration officers help manage lawful entry into the U.S., enforce immigration laws, and support national security. Most officers work for federal agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The demand for skilled immigration officers remains steady, especially for bilingual applicants and those with law enforcement or military experience. This article breaks down the steps to enter the field and the degrees and experience that can help you qualify.

What Is an Immigration Officer?

An immigration officer is a federal employee who helps enforce immigration laws and regulations in the United States. These professionals screen and interview individuals who are entering or residing in the country, assess applications for visas or naturalization, and investigate possible immigration violations. While job duties vary by agency, immigration officers play a critical role in national security and lawful migration processes.

Most immigration officers work for agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Some roles are focused on administrative review and benefits processing, while others involve criminal investigations, detention, or border enforcement.

What Does an Immigration Officer Do?

Immigration officers handle a wide range of tasks depending on their position and department. Common responsibilities include:

• reviewing and processing applications for visas, green cards, or citizenship
• interviewing applicants to verify identity, eligibility, and intent
• conducting background checks and reviewing documents for fraud
• investigating immigration violations such as visa overstays or unlawful entry
• providing testimony in immigration court or criminal cases
• coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies

Some immigration officers carry firearms and make arrests, while others work in office settings, handling paperwork and applicant interviews.

Where Immigration Officers Work

Immigration officers are employed across several federal agencies. Each agency focuses on different aspects of immigration policy, enforcement, and services.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS officers primarily handle immigration benefits and administrative services. They review and adjudicate petitions for asylum, permanent residency, and naturalization. USCIS immigration officers usually work in field offices and service centers, where they interview applicants and determine case outcomes based on federal law.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE officers focus on interior enforcement, detention, and removal operations. ICE employs deportation officers, special agents, and criminal investigators who locate and remove undocumented immigrants, conduct workplace investigations, and prosecute immigration fraud. Some ICE officers also focus on cases involving human trafficking or transnational crimes.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP officers are stationed at U.S. borders, airports, and seaports. Their primary responsibility is inspecting individuals and cargo entering the country. CBP officers enforce customs, immigration, and agricultural laws at ports of entry. Border Patrol agents, a division within CBP, patrol between ports to detect and prevent unauthorized border crossings.

Department of Homeland Security

DHS oversees USCIS, ICE, and CBP. Some immigration officers work directly for DHS in supervisory, policy, or intelligence roles. These positions often involve high-level coordination between agencies and may focus on national security threats, immigration reform, or resource management.

How To Become an Immigration Officer

To meet immigration officer qualifications, you'll need a mix of education, experience, and federal clearance. Most positions require U.S. citizenship, a clean background, and the ability to pass training through a federal law enforcement academy. While specific requirements can vary by agency and role, the steps below outline a common pathway into this career.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Most federal immigration officer jobs require a bachelor's degree since it's one of the immigration officer educational requirements. While there's no mandated major, degrees in criminal justice, homeland security, or political science are commonly preferred, especially for enforcement and investigative roles.

For USCIS or legal review positions, a degree in public administration, legal studies, or international relations may be more relevant. Coursework in immigration law, constitutional law, criminology, and foreign languages, particularly Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin, can also strengthen your qualifications. In some cases, extensive experience in law enforcement or the military may substitute for formal education.

Step 2: Gain Related Experience or Skills

Agencies often look for candidates with prior experience in law enforcement, the military, or roles that require analytical thinking, interviewing, or document review. Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or Haitian Creole, are highly valued.

You can also build skills through internships with DHS or student trainee roles that introduce you to immigration processes and federal agency procedures.

Step 3: Apply Through USAJOBS

All federal immigration officer positions are listed on USAJOBS.gov, the official hiring site for the U.S. government. You'll need to create a detailed federal resume and submit any required documentation, such as transcripts or proof of citizenship. Pay close attention to GS-level requirements, which indicate the position's pay and experience expectations.

Step 4: Pass a Background Check and Drug Screening

Because immigration officers work in sensitive security roles, you must pass a thorough background investigation. This process includes fingerprinting, drug testing, financial history review, and interviews with personal references. Some roles may also require a security clearance, depending on the agency and assignment.

Step 5: Complete Federal Law Enforcement Training

New hires typically attend formal training at a federal academy such as the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC). Training includes immigration law, detention procedures, firearms handling, and physical fitness.

The length and content of training vary by agency; officers in field enforcement roles receive more tactical and defensive instruction than administrative officers. Once training is complete, you'll begin working in a probationary period under supervision before transitioning to a permanent role.

Best Degrees and Experience for Immigration Officers

While there's no single required major to become an immigration officer, certain degrees and professional backgrounds can strengthen your qualifications and make you more competitive in the hiring process. Roles vary across agencies, so the right fit often depends on whether you're pursuing an administrative or enforcement-focused position.

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice

A degree in criminal justice provides a strong foundation in law enforcement procedures, investigative techniques, and constitutional law. This is especially helpful for immigration officers working in enforcement roles within agencies like ICE or CBP. Coursework often includes ethics in criminal justice, criminal investigations, and evidence handling, which align with the responsibilities of field-based positions.

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science or Government

Political science majors study how government systems work, including immigration policy and international relations. This degree can help prepare you for immigration officer roles within USCIS or DHS, where understanding laws, treaties, and federal policies is essential. It's also useful if you plan to pursue advanced roles involving policy review or case adjudication.

Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security

A homeland security degree focuses on emergency management, border security, and counterterrorism, which are key components of federal immigration enforcement. Students learn how different agencies coordinate to manage national threats, making this degree especially relevant for roles with CBP or ICE. Some programs also include training in cybersecurity and intelligence gathering.

Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies or Public Administration

Legal studies can prepare you to review case files, interpret statutes, and apply immigration laws, all tasks often handled by USCIS officers. Public administration majors develop skills in government operations, organizational management, and policy implementation, which can support leadership roles in immigration services or policy offices.

Military or Law Enforcement Background

Military service or prior experience in local, state, or federal law enforcement is highly valued by immigration agencies. These backgrounds demonstrate discipline, familiarity with chain-of-command structures, and knowledge of arrest procedures and field investigations.

Veterans may also qualify for hiring preferences when applying through USAJOBS. Experience in customs, corrections, or border patrol can provide a direct path into immigration enforcement roles.

Skills Needed To Succeed as an Immigration Officer

Immigration officers need a mix of analytical, interpersonal, and legal knowledge to perform their roles effectively. Whether you're processing applications or enforcing immigration laws in the field, these skills are essential for success:

• Interviewing and investigative skills: Officers must assess applicant credibility, detect inconsistencies, and ask follow-up questions during interviews or field investigations. Strong listening and observation skills are key.
• Knowledge of immigration law and procedures: Understanding current immigration statutes, agency policies, and international agreements is critical when processing petitions or pursuing enforcement actions.
• Cultural awareness and communication: Officers often interact with people from diverse backgrounds. Being sensitive to cultural norms and language differences helps ensure respectful and accurate communication.
• Detail-oriented case review and documentation: Reviewing large volumes of paperwork, identifying fraud, and writing accurate reports require high attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

How Long Does It Take To Become an Immigration Officer?

The time it takes to become an immigration officer varies depending on your education and background. If you start with a bachelor's degree, expect to spend about four years in college. Some roles require no additional experience beyond the degree, while others may require one to two years of related work in law enforcement, immigration, or public service.

After applying, the federal hiring process can take several months and includes background checks, interviews, and assessments. Once hired, new officers must complete federal training, which can last six to 22 weeks depending on the agency. In total, becoming an immigration officer typically takes four to six years from the start of college to full employment.

FAQs About Becoming an Immigration Officer

If you're considering a career in immigration, you may have questions about job settings, training requirements, and agency roles. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about this career path.

How Do I Become an Immigration Officer at the Airport?

To understand how to become an immigration officer at the airport|, start by looking into U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These officers are stationed at airports and other ports of entry.

You'll typically need a bachelor's degree or relevant experience, pass a federal background check, and complete training at the CBP Field Operations Academy. Airport-based officers focus on screening travelers, checking documentation, and enforcing customs and immigration laws.

Do Immigration Officers Carry Firearms?

It depends on the agency and position. Officers working for enforcement-focused agencies like ICE and CBP often carry firearms and receive weapons training as part of their federal law enforcement duties. In contrast, officers at USCIS generally work in administrative roles and do not carry firearms.

Is Immigration Officer a Federal Job?

Yes, immigration officers are federal employees. They work for agencies under the DHS, including USCIS, ICE, and CBP. These positions are listed on USAJOBS.gov and typically fall under the General Schedule (GS) pay system for federal workers.

Do You Need a Degree To Work in Immigration Enforcement?

Most immigration enforcement positions require a bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience. Some entry-level roles may accept military or law enforcement experience in place of a degree. A background in criminal justice, homeland security, or political science is often preferred.

What's the Difference Between USCIS and ICE Officers?

USCIS officers primarily handle immigration benefits like green cards, asylum, and citizenship. Their work is administrative and focused on application processing. ICE officers, on the other hand, enforce immigration laws within the U.S., investigate violations, and handle detention and removal of undocumented immigrants. Both roles are part of DHS but serve different functions.

What Is the Salary of an Immigration Officer?

Salaries vary by agency, role, and experience level. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, most immigration officers fall within the GS pay scale. Entry-level officers may start at GS-5 or GS-7, earning around $34,000 to $42,000 per year. Senior officers can earn GS-11 to GS-13 salaries, ranging from $63,000 to over $90,000 annually, depending on location and duties.

Explore Legal and Law Enforcement Degrees

Whether you're interested in processing immigration cases or enforcing laws at the border, earning a degree in criminal justice, homeland security, or public administration can help you qualify for federal roles. Learn.org offers resources to explore legal and law enforcement degree programs.