ICE Recruiting Former Federal Employees
ICE is aggressively recruiting former federal employees as part of a $76.5 billion expansion, with roughly $30 billion dedicated to hiring. The agency is offering lucrative incentives, most notably, signing bonuses of up to $50,000 paid in installments and a special waiver that lets returning workers collect both a federal paycheck and their existing pensions and benefits. Since July 4, more than 1,000 tentative job offers have been extended, with officials targeting experienced government staff to quickly bolster ICE’s ranks. Supporters say rehiring ex-federal workers brings valuable expertise, while critics warn the surge could exacerbate an already severe immigration court backlog of nearly 4 million cases.
Support For Federal Employees
If you’re a federal employee facing layoffs, reorganizations, or changes to your job, acting quickly and knowing where to turn for help is important. Experts advise tracking critical deadlines, especially the 30-day window to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board, joining class actions when appropriate, and working with your union early in the process. Key resources include Rise Up: Federal Workers Defense Network (volunteer attorneys for federal workers), the Just Security Tracker (updates on related litigation), the National Employment Lawyers Association’s “Find a Lawyer” tool (to locate experienced counsel), and Justice Connect (resources for DOJ employees). Together, these networks can provide guidance, legal representation, and timely updates to help you protect your rights.
OPM to Delete COVID Vaccine Information
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has directed all federal agencies to expunge any records related to employees’ COVID-19 vaccination status—including histories of compliance or exemption requests—and prohibited using that information in employment decisions such as hiring, promotion, or discipline. While the directive takes immediate effect, employees may opt out of this deletion process within 90 days. This new memo builds on earlier guidance issued after the revocation of the Biden-era vaccine mandate, which had already ceased enforcement in 2023.
OpenAI Offers ChatGPT to Federal Agencies
OpenAI has teamed up with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to offer ChatGPT Enterprise to every federal executive-branch agency for just $1 for the next year. This initiative provides access to OpenAI’s leading AI models, including advanced features like Deep Research and Advanced Voice Mode, available with no usage limits for an additional 60 days, and aims to help federal employees reduce paperwork and focus more on mission-driven work. To ensure a secure, compliant rollout, agencies will receive educational tools, onboarding, and tailored training.
