Federal Law Enforcement Reorganized to Focus on Immigration Enforcement Under Trump
A significant shift in federal law enforcement priorities is underway, as agencies traditionally focused on combating crime and terrorism are being redirected to enforce immigration laws. This reorganization, drawing parallels to the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, is prompting concerns about the potential impact on other critical areas of law enforcement and raising questions about the efficient allocation of resources.
The Trump administration’s commitment to deporting undocumented immigrants has triggered a widespread mobilization of federal agents and resources. Homeland Security investigators specializing in financial crimes like money laundering are now conducting raids on businesses, specifically targeting undocumented workers. Agents who once pursued drug traffickers and tax evaders are being reassigned to immigration enforcement duties.
This comprehensive restructuring, involving thousands of federal law enforcement officials from various agencies, marks the most significant shift since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security following the 9/11 attacks.
According to interviews with over 20 current and former federal agents, attorneys, and other federal officials, the changes are sweeping and far-reaching. A former Homeland Security official, Theresa Cardinal Brown, who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, expressed her astonishment at the scale of the shift. "I do not recall ever seeing this wide a spectrum of federal government resources all being turned toward immigration enforcement," she stated.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the mobilization, stating that it is "mobilizing federal and state law enforcement to find, arrest, and deport illegal aliens."
The FBI declined to comment on its specific staffing changes but emphasized its commitment to "protecting the U.S. from many threats." The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Critics of the administration’s policy argue that the reallocation of resources is a "wasteful, misguided diversion" that undermines efforts to combat other serious crimes. Senator Dick Durbin stated that the crackdown "is making America less safe by drawing agents and officials away from fighting corporate fraud, terrorism, child sexual exploitation and other crimes."
However, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the changes, rejecting the notion that prioritizing immigration enforcement hinders other criminal investigations. He asserted that the Trump administration views the situation at the border as "an invasion" and that the crackdown is a necessary response.
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to collaborate in combating what he termed an "invasion" of illegal immigrants. He accused undocumented immigrants of driving crime, gang violence, and drug trafficking, assertions that are not supported by government statistics.
Social media posts from federal law enforcement agencies have showcased the crackdown, featuring agents in body armor and jackets emblazoned with the names of multiple agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and ATF, during raids on undocumented immigrants.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), traditionally focused on firearms offenses, bombings, arson, and illicit shipments of alcohol and tobacco, has seen approximately 80% of its agents assigned to immigration enforcement tasks. These agents are being used as "fugitive hunters" to locate undocumented migrants.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which has historically led the fight against drug cartels, has shifted about a quarter of its work to immigration operations. Many of the reassigned federal officials lack specialized training or experience in immigration law.
The State Department’s Security Service agents, who typically protect diplomats and investigate visa and passport fraud, have been authorized to assist in "investigating, determining the location of, and apprehending, any alien" in the U.S. unlawfully.
These changes coincide with numerous lawsuits challenging the legality of the Trump administration’s immigration measures, including the deportation of alleged gang members under an 18th-century wartime powers act and the detention of a legal permanent resident student activist.
While the number of migrants seeking to cross the southern border has decreased, and the number of people detained for immigration violations has increased, deportation numbers have not yet seen a significant surge. However, experts anticipate an increase in deportations in the coming months.
At Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), agents specializing in child sexual exploitation have been reassigned to immigration enforcement. This shift has raised concerns about the potential impact on the investigation and prosecution of child sex crimes. HSI agents have played a crucial role in assisting over 3,000 child victims in recent years, and the reallocation of resources could lead to the continued exploitation of vulnerable children.
HSI’s new responsibilities include checking companies for unauthorized immigrant hires, conducting surveillance outside of immigrant workers’ homes, taking down license plates, and distributing photos of "target" immigrants for detention.
Criminal investigation agents at the IRS, who typically probe tax and financial crimes, are also being redirected into immigration operations. This shift has raised concerns about the potential impact on the investigation and prosecution of tax evasion and other financial crimes.
The Justice Department has instructed federal prosecutors to prioritize the prosecution of illegal immigrants for crimes committed in the U.S. This directive has led to a surge in immigration cases in federal courts, potentially straining resources and impacting the prosecution of other crimes.
In San Diego, felony immigration crime charges have more than quadrupled, while felony drug crime charges have slightly decreased. In Detroit, where immigration prosecutions have been rare, immigration offense charges have increased significantly.
The DEA has been ordered to reopen cases, even those up to five years old, where prosecutors had previously declined to bring charges. If immigration authorities determine that individuals were in the country illegally at the time of the original case, agents are now being dispatched to arrest them.
Despite government wide budget cuts, positions dedicated to immigration enforcement appear to be exempt from reductions. ICE employees have been informed that they are not eligible for retirement buyouts offered to other federal workers.
The reorganization of federal law enforcement under the Trump administration reflects a fundamental shift in priorities, with a strong emphasis on immigration enforcement. This redirection of resources raises questions about the potential consequences for other critical areas of law enforcement, including the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and financial crimes.
