Video: youtube/late night with seth meyers
January 15, 2026, 5:20 p.mJanuary 15, 2026, 5:20 p.m
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has repeatedly made headlines in recent weeks and months. Most recently, the shooting of a US citizen on the street sparked nationwide protests.
The authority currently has hardly any support left (but apparently it has too much reserve, as some videos show in which agents slip on ice). In his late-night show, comedian Seth Meyers showed the problems ICE is struggling with and why the majority of Americans are now turning away from the agency:
Video: youtube/late night with seth meyers
“Late Night with Seth Meyers” is known for its “A Closer Look” segment. In it, moderator Seth Meyers devotes himself to a specific topic or event and dissects it in a humorous way. In the broadcast on January 14th, the 52-year-old focused on ICE, a topic that is likely to concern quite a few people in the USA, at least after the recent events.
To understand why the agency is where it is today, Meyers first took a look back. In 2024, Donald Trump announced massive mass deportation projects during his presidential campaign if he were elected. These would be directed against the worst, violent criminals. Of course, this resonated quite well with people, says Meyers – only:
Instead, Trump created an army of poorly trained, heavily armed ICE agents. These would hang around schools, neighborhoods, and grocery stores, yelling at innocent people to find out where they were born.
Recruitment conditions lowered – recruits still fail
In order to achieve Trump’s high deportation quotas, the authority recently had to massively increase its staff. The government planned to double the number of agents. To this end, the hiring conditions at the authority have been relaxed, says Meyers. Various media reported that the quality of the staff suffered as a result.
Around a third of the new ICE recruits were unable to complete a basic fitness test, which included 15 push-ups, 32 torso bends and a 2.5-kilometer run in 14 minutes. Veteran ICE officers described this performance as “pathetic” and spoke of a “disaster,” according to a well-rehearsed media report.
Many recruits are said to have failed basic sports tests and simple written exams.Image: keystone
But even apart from the physical, sporting aspect, the authority was confronted with a lot of incompetence. Half of the new recruits failed the written entrance exam – even though notes and textbooks are allowed to be used. Some of the recruits can hardly read and write, it is said in another clip.
Nevertheless, many were admitted to training even before their background checks were completed. It was later noticed that there were people among the trainees who had a criminal background or who had failed drug tests.
ICE approval ratings are in the basement
All of these factors have led to ICE now causing chaos in the USA, said Meyers. It’s no surprise that the population doesn’t like what they’re witnessing. Here too, the comedian used media reports to show how great the dissatisfaction with the authority is.
People demonstrate against ICE in front of the Capitol in Washington, DC.Image: keystone
According to one of the clips, 52 percent of the population now disapproves of ICE. A majority also think that the authority is making the country less safe instead of safer, as promised. According to various surveys, the majority of Americans believe that ICE’s actions and tactics are too extreme. According to Meyers, more people in the USA now believe in ghosts than approve of the authorities’ actions. (lzo)
By the way, you can watch the whole segment here:
More videos about the notorious authority:
ICE agent shoots woman in Minneapolis – a chronology and what the authorities say about it
Video: Watson/Lucas Zollinger
“Fake wannabe cops” – Philadelphia Sheriff threatens ICE
Video: watson/hanna dedial
Food courier narrowly escapes ICE officers
Video: Watson/Michael Shepherd