> At a Glance
> – ICE academy training was cut from five months to 47 days spread over eight weeks
> – The number 47 was chosen because Trump is the 47th president, officials told The Atlantic
> – Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot dead by an ICE agent on Jan. 7
> – Why it matters: The shortened training raises questions about agent readiness after a fatal encounter
An August 2025 exposé reveals ICE sliced new-agent training in half, dropping Spanish classes and compressing coursework into 47 days-a figure three officials say was picked to honor Donald Trump’s presidential number. The revelation surfaces after an ICE officer fatally shot Minneapolis mother Renee Nicole Good during a Jan. 7 operation.
Training Overhaul
The Atlantic‘s Nick Miroff reported that deportation officers once received roughly five months of federal law-enforcement instruction. The current administration trimmed the academy to eight six-day weeks, eliminating Spanish-language modules and relying on streamlined lessons.
Senior DHS official told News Of Los Angeles:
> “Training to become an Enforcement and Removal Operations officer is 8 weeks long.”
The spokesperson denied any curriculum cuts, claiming:
> “No subject matter has been cut. Candidates still learn the same elements and meet the same high standards.”
What Changed
- Spanish classes covering a single dialect replaced by multilingual translation services
- Redundant lessons removed; technology upgrades added
- Mandatory online on-the-job training introduced
- Field mentoring by senior officers emphasized
Minneapolis Shooting
Good died after an ICE agent fired multiple rounds into her SUV as she pulled forward during a confrontation. Video shows agents refusing medical help even after a physician offered assistance.
Donna Ganger, Good’s mother, told the Star Tribune:
> “She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known… loving, forgiving and affectionate.”
DHS initially labeled Good a “domestic terrorist,” asserting agents acted in self-defense. Minnesota investigators say the FBI is blocking access to evidence, stalling the joint inquiry.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | The Atlantic reports ICE training cut to 47 days |
| Jan 6 2026 | DHS social media taunts Minneapolis: “GOOD MORNING MINNEAPOLIS!” |
| Jan 7 2026 | Renee Nicole Good shot dead by ICE officer |
| Jan 8 2026 | FBI refuses to share evidence with state investigators |
Key Takeaways
- ICE academy shrank from ~150 days to 47 days; Spanish instruction dropped
- Kristi Noem defends the agent, saying he “followed his training”
- Good’s family disputes DHS terrorism claim; physician was barred from aiding her
- State probe hampered by FBI evidence lockout
The compressed training timeline and ongoing evidence dispute intensify scrutiny of ICE protocols after a fatal encounter with an unarmed citizen.
