In an interview last Wednesday, Cain, who is already a sworn law enforcement officer, said, "I will be sworn in as an ICE agent asap". It comes after he released a video encouraging members of the public to join following a recruitment drive by the agency, which is behind the Trump administration's ramped-up deportation scheme.

Cain played the role of Superman between 1993 and 1997 in the TV series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He has gone on to star in a number of other films and TV shows, and has also directed. In late July, ICE announced it was aiming to recruit an additional 10,000 new personnel, doubling the agency's headcount as it ramps up deportations across the country. It is specifically hoping to recruit deportation officers, along with attorneys, criminal investigators, student visa adjudicators and other roles.

Speaking on Fox News last Wednesday, Cain said: "I put out a recruitment video yesterday - I'm actually a sworn deputy sheriff and a reserve police officer - I wasn't part of ICE, but once I put that out there and you put a little blurb on your show, it went crazy". "So now I've spoken with some officials over at ICE, and I will be sworn in as an ICE agent asap." "People have to step up. I'm stepping up. Hopefully a whole bunch of other former officers, former ICE agents will step up, and we'll meet those recruitment goals immediately and we'll help protect this country," Cain added.

BBC News has contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment. US President Donald Trump has vowed to ramp up the pace of deportations from the US to one million per year. Part of that effort has included increased immigration raids since Trump became president. They have sparked protests in cities across the US, with critics calling the raids unlawful. On 29 July, ICE announced it was offering recruitment bonuses of up to $50,000 (£37,700) and student loan help to Americans interested in helping with the Trump administration's deportation drive. (BBC/Getty Images)