Dean Cain, once celebrated as Superman on 1990s television, has found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after video footage emerged of the 59-year-old actor struggling through a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training course in Georgia. The clips, broadcast widely and dissected by the likes of RadarOnline.com and the Daily Mail, show Cain attempting to scale a wall, crawling on his knees through a barrel, dragging a dummy across the course, and firing weapons at a shooting range alongside acting ICE director Todd Lyons. The spectacle has prompted a mixture of ridicule, political commentary, and debate about celebrity activism and law enforcement recruitment in America.
Cain, who recently announced his intention to join ICE as an "honorary" officer to support President Donald Trump’s immigration goals, insisted his motives were rooted in patriotism and public safety. "I am a sworn law enforcement officer, as well as being a filmmaker, and I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it. So I joined up," Cain said in his initial announcement, according to the Daily Mail. He added, "If you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America's streets. They need your help, we need your help, to protect our homeland for families. Join today if it's something that tickles your fancy because we can use you."
Despite Cain’s earnest tone, the internet wasted little time turning his performance into a meme. Social media users lampooned his efforts, with one quipping, "Yeah, he’s not ready to be put on the field." Another joked, "This is not training; it looks like a human being training for a local dog show," while a third summed up the scene with, "Faster than a speeding bullet... kinda." The mockery didn’t stop at anonymous users. Notable comedians such as Margaret Cho and Bill Maher joined in, as did some members of Congress, according to RadarOnline.com.
Cain, undeterred, fired back at his critics, framing the attacks as unfair and politically motivated. "What you're making fun of is me standing up for federal law enforcement and American citizens. If you want to make fun of me for that, go ahead," he told RadarOnline.com. During a heated exchange on Piers Morgan: Uncensored with Republican strategist-turned-Trump-critic Tim Mille, Cain defended his record: "I don’t understand why you had to go a 'former, untrained actor'—I’m not untrained! Should I say that because you're a former Republican strategist, you have no say on anything? That’s baloney!" Pressed on his actual qualifications, Cain admitted, "I'm not an ICE agent yet," but emphasized his experience as a volunteer sheriff's deputy and reserve police officer. "Denigrating someone because they're doing this, because of what they used to do, or what they do, or whether they’re an actor, a writer, or a newscaster, is ridiculous. It's an ad hominem attack; it's wrong."
As the debate raged online, ICE itself seemed unfazed by the viral derision. In fact, the agency has actively promoted Cain’s involvement, sharing footage of his training and linking to their recruitment website. ICE hopes Cain’s high-profile participation will help drive up applications, and recent statistics suggest the strategy may be working. According to the Daily Mail, ICE claims to have received 100,000 applications for approximately 10,000 open positions since launching a major recruitment drive—one that notably removed age caps for new agents. The agency is sweetening the deal for applicants, offering a signing bonus of up to $50,000, student loan repayment of $60,000, and a premium pay bump of 25 percent.
Cain’s involvement with ICE comes amid a broader national conversation about immigration enforcement, celebrity activism, and the image of law enforcement agencies. On one side, supporters argue that high-profile endorsements like Cain’s can help counteract what they see as unfair criticism of ICE and boost morale and recruitment. Cain himself has echoed this view, saying, "People don't realize, they think that ICE is this horrible, nefarious group and they're not—they're phenomenal people. I stand with our law enforcement."
Opponents, however, see Cain’s move as a publicity stunt or, worse, a misguided endorsement of controversial policies. Critics on social media and in the press have questioned whether a former TV star, even one with some law enforcement volunteer credentials, is truly suited for the demanding and often dangerous work ICE agents perform. Some have pointed to the optics of an actor known for playing Superman struggling through basic physical tasks as symbolic of a disconnect between celebrity activism and the realities of law enforcement.
The incident also highlights the challenges facing ICE as it seeks to fill thousands of positions in a contentious political climate. The agency’s recruitment campaign, bolstered by Cain’s participation, comes with substantial incentives but also faces significant public scrutiny. The removal of age caps and the aggressive push for new recruits signal both a need for personnel and a desire to reshape the agency’s public image. According to ICE, the new approach is working, with applications flooding in since the campaign began.
For Cain, the experience has been both humbling and galvanizing. Despite the bruising criticism, he has doubled down on his commitment to ICE, defending both the agency and his own efforts. "You can make the cheap jibes, and it’s funny," he acknowledged in an interview with RadarOnline.com. "But the fact that I’m being, you know, pilloried or attacked for joining up with a federal law enforcement agency is insane."
Meanwhile, the spectacle of Superman crawling through barrels and dragging dummies has become a symbol—depending on one’s perspective—of either the challenges of bridging Hollywood and law enforcement or the power of celebrity to spark national debate. Supporters of Cain’s efforts see him as a patriotic American using his platform for good, while detractors argue that serious issues like immigration enforcement deserve more than star power and soundbites.
As Cain continues his training and ICE presses forward with its recruitment drive, the story remains a lightning rod for larger questions about who should serve in law enforcement, the role of celebrities in political causes, and how agencies can attract new talent amid controversy. For now, one thing is certain: Dean Cain’s journey from Superman to would-be ICE officer has captured the nation’s attention—and, for better or worse, has given Americans plenty to talk about.
