EXCLUSIVE — Federal immigration authorities have arrested nearly 150,000 illegal immigrants across the United States since the beginning of January, shortly before President Donald Trump took office and launched a mass deportation operation,

Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruits are being offered a maximum $50,000 signing bonus, student loan repayment and forgiveness options, and enhanced retirement benefits to join the agency.

Touting student loan forgiveness for ICE recruits comes as the Trump administration has sought to overturn former President Joe Biden 's student loan forgiveness policies, some of which are on hold because of legal proceedings. The Department of Education has said it needs to reevaluate how it will restart the programs, if at all.