ICE ordered roughly 2,500 navy-branded trucks and SUVs that agents say are unusable for street enforcement and are now stored. The bulk purchase was made in late 2025 by 28-year-old Madison Sheahan and — according to sources — was approved without consulting career officers. The procurement, along with several no-bid contracts, has prompted scrutiny over oversight and taxpayer spending; ICE is working to have remaining deliveries arrive unbranded.
Thousands of ICE-Branded Vehicles Sit Idle After Young Deputy’s Multimillion-Dollar Order
Madison Sheahan
ICE is left with thousands of agency-branded vehicles parked in garages after a bulk purchase by a 28-year-old deputy that career officers say was made without operational consultation.
Protesters target one of the ICE vehicles near the regional ICE headquarters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota. / Stephen Maturen / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
What Happened
In the second half of 2025, Madison Sheahan, then a 28-year-old deputy, authorized a large fleet order of roughly 2,500 dark navy pickup trucks and SUVs emblazoned with the agency name, logo and the motto "Defend the Homeland." According to multiple reports, the vehicles were rolled out despite objections from career ICE agents who warned the conspicuous markings would compromise street-level enforcement.
A still from Madison Sheahan's slick Ohio congressional run promo, featuring her with Noem (R) and Landry (2R). / Madison Sheahan
Operational Concerns
Federal agents told the Washington Examiner and other outlets that many of the marked vehicles are now being stored because driving them would alert people nearby and jeopardize enforcement operations. "ICE has never had marked vehicles," one source said. "People are like, 'We don’t want to use these, we can’t.'" Another source said the marked cars are effectively limited to custodial pickups — transporting individuals already in custody — which makes them impractical for ICE’s usual street enforcement work.
Noem's cosplaying earned her the Daily Beast nickname
Procurement And Oversight Questions
Career officers reportedly were not consulted before the order was placed. Sources told reporters that leadership who handle day-to-day enforcement would have advised against marked vehicles. The purchase has drawn scrutiny because it was part of a series of no-bid contracts connected to the same leadership, including a high-profile $100 million recruitment advertising contract awarded without competitive bidding.
Costs And Contractors
Details reported include a $2.25 million no-bid contract to outfit 25 Chevrolet Tahoes and additional contracts worth between $174,000 and $230,000 each to apply vehicle markings. Critics say these and other awards raise questions about oversight, competitive bidding, and whether taxpayer funds were spent appropriately.
Leadership And Political Context
Madison Sheahan, who previously worked as a political director and in state party positions, left the agency in January to launch a congressional campaign. The marked-vehicle order was one of several controversial decisions attributed to her tenure. The broader context includes reported tensions between political appointees and career ICE staff and congressional efforts to increase oversight of ICE spending.
Current Status
ICE officials are reportedly working to alter the outstanding portion of the fleet order so that future deliveries arrive without agency branding. The department has not publicly confirmed the total number of vehicles purchased, the full cost of the order, or whether career officers were consulted. Requests for comment to the department and to Madison Sheahan went unanswered at the time of reporting.
Key Quote: "It’s ridiculous because you don’t want to advertise what you’re doing. We’re just hiding them in a parking garage somewhere because we don’t want to drive them," one ICE source told reporters.
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