Homeland Security Enlists IRS in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
Washington, D.C. – In a move designed to bolster President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has requested assistance from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Noem outlined the need for the IRS’s cooperation in implementing the President’s executive order on border security.
The executive order, signed by Trump in early 2017, mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to "take all appropriate action" to supplement its existing workforce in order to "secure the southern border and enforce immigration laws." In response, Noem has requested the IRS’s assistance in carrying out these tasks.
Noem emphasized that DHS is already receiving support from the Department of Justice, the Texas National Guard, and the Texas Attorney General’s office. However, she believes that the IRS’s unique capabilities could significantly enhance the department’s enforcement efforts.
The IRS boasts a criminal investigation division composed of approximately 3,000 personnel, including 2,100 special agents who specialize in investigating financial crimes such as tax fraud and money laundering. Noem proposes that these agents could be deployed to assist in a variety of immigration-related investigations.
Specifically, Noem requested IRS support in the following areas:
- Investigating companies that employ unauthorized immigrants
- Dismantling financial networks supporting human smuggling organizations
- Seizing assets connected to immigration-related offenses
- Apprehending, monitoring, detaining, and removing unauthorized immigrants
Patrick Eddington, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a right-leaning think tank, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the IRS granting all of Noem’s requests. He pointed out that IRS special agents are not trained for immigration enforcement duties and that there are still individuals committing tax crimes who need to be prosecuted.
Eddington also raised concerns about the potential for mission creep, whereby the IRS could become increasingly involved in immigration enforcement activities to the detriment of its core responsibilities.
Despite these concerns, Noem’s request for IRS assistance highlights the Trump administration’s determination to crack down on illegal immigration. The IRS’s involvement in this effort could signal a significant expansion of the government’s enforcement capabilities.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on Noem’s letter to Bessent. The full text of the letter is available online.
Additional Details:
- Noem’s request comes as the Trump administration faces criticism for its handling of immigration issues, particularly the separation of families at the border.
- The IRS has a long history of collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
- The Cato Institute is a non-profit public policy research organization based in Washington, D.C.
