Former Superman Dean Cain Wants To Join ICE

Dean Cain, the actor synonymous for many with the role of Superman on the television series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," announced this week that he would be sworn in as an honorary officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Cain, now 59, made his intentions public on social media, stating his desire to “help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it” and encouraging others to consider careers at the agency. The announcement follows ICE’s recent decision to waive age limits for new applicants, part of a recruitment push following a significant increase in federal funding for the agency .

Cain’s remarks quickly went viral, prompting a flood of responses across Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms. Many users, including prominent LGBTQ+ advocates and organizations, criticized the move, citing ICE’s well-documented history of detaining and deporting vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. The actor’s embrace of the agency—often associated with the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies—was viewed by many as inconsistent with the image of Superman, a character often seen as a symbol of hope and protection for marginalized communities .

Cain’s decision comes at a time when ICE is actively recruiting new officers, having recently removed the upper age limit for applicants to address staffing shortages. According to ICE officials, Cain is expected to participate in a swearing-in ceremony in the coming month as part of a broader campaign to attract attention to the agency’s recruitment drive .

This is not Cain’s first foray into law enforcement. In 2019, he became a reserve officer in Idaho’s Pocatello Police Department and later a sworn sheriff’s deputy in Frederick County, Virginia. However, joining ICE marks a more controversial step, given the agency’s role in enforcing federal immigration law and the ongoing national debate about its practices .

ICE’s practices have faced sustained criticism from human rights organizations, including many LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Reports over the past decade have documented that transgender and nonbinary migrants are at heightened risk for abuse, prolonged detention, and denial of appropriate medical care while in ICE custody . The intersection of Cain’s announcement with these ongoing concerns has amplified the backlash.

Several LGBTQ+ organizations responded swiftly to Cain’s announcement, reiterating calls for policy changes at ICE and questioning the optics of a public figure—especially one known for playing a hero—associating with an agency that has been accused of mistreating LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum in the United States. Social media users highlighted the contradiction between Superman’s ethos of “truth, justice, and a better tomorrow” and ICE’s record, with many posts including hashtags such as #NotMySuperman and #ProtectTransAsylumSeekers .

Transgender Law Center, a leading advocacy organization, noted in a statement that “LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, especially transgender women, face disproportionate violence and discrimination in detention. High-profile endorsements of ICE risk normalizing these abuses rather than challenging them” .