Dean Cain says he joined up with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement because he wants to support all of the law enforcement officers who are being vilified for doing their jobs.

We spoke with the actor on "TMZ Live" Thursday ... and, we asked him why he decided to go from actor to immigration officer -- a move that only worked out when ICE removed its age restriction. Getty

Dean says he's got a lot of respect for law enforcement ... especially these officers who are caught up in the controversy surrounding the sweeping raids they're conducting.

Cain says his heart goes out to the people living here illegally who aren't committing crimes but are being deported anyway ... but, they aren't supposed to be here -- and, they should leave ASAP instead of hoping ICE doesn't catch up w

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