ICE ‘Urgently’ Needs Two New Ford Mustang GTs (Official White House Request)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wants to spend $121,450 in taxpayer dollars to purchase two Ford Mustang GTs.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently submitted an “immediate request by the White House” to purchase a pair of Ford Mustang GTs. If you’ve been following the news recently, then you likely already know that ICE is looking to expand by recruiting thousands of new agents to increase immigration enforcement. Apparently, the agency believes that acquiring two Pony Cars requires a sense of “unusual and compelling urgency.”

Typically, a contract request for agency equipment is subjected to a full and open competition for bids. However, ICE wants Ford Mustang GTs immediately and doesn’t want to be slowed down by the competition process. “The agency’s need for the services is so urgent and compelling that providing full and open competition would result in unacceptable delays and seriously hinder the Government’s recruiting initiative,” reads the request document.

ICE apparently picked Bannister Ford of Marlow Heights, which currently has a 1.8-star rating on Yelp, as its preferred dealer because it has two Mustang GTs in stock that could be delivered immediately. The government set aside $121,450 to procure its new Mustang collection.

Why Mustang GTs?

According to the paperwork filed, ICE chose the S650 Mustang GT because it can serve as a “bold, high-performance symbol of innovation, strength and modern federal service. Its eye-catching design increases public engagement at outreach events and helps attract top talent by conveying a culture of excellence and forward momentum. Therefore, two (2) Ford Mustang GT vehicles were selected as they meet the ICE requirement.”

How Will They Be Used?

These two Mustang GTs will be procured as non-tactical vehicles. Meaning, they aren’t for use in matters of policing. Instead, they’re to help with recruiting new employees. According to the government documentation, “These vehicles are essential for transporting staff and materials for recruitment events, career fairs, and recruitment initiatives across multiple locations. Without timely access to these resources, our ability to attract and onboard qualified candidates will be severely hindered, ultimately impacting the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission.”

Mustang Fleet Sales Aren’t Exactly New

This is obviously not the first time that the Ford Mustang was tapped for official business. State police agencies around the country have been using V8-powered Mustangs as pursuit vehicles for decades. But this time, it’s more about the image the Mustang conveys than the actual performance it brings to the table. And apparently, ICE thinks Mustangs will make the agency look good to potential talent as the agency expands under the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Whether it helps them reach their recruitment goal or not remains to be seen. Either way, urgently requesting a couple of Mustang GTs to look cool is an interesting choice for an executive branch that has been claiming it wants to reduce the money being spent by the federal government.

Images: Ford

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