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Changes in Federal Law Enforcement: Immigration Enforcement Takes Precedence

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In a notable shift, federal agents typically focused on combatting child exploitation are now redirecting their efforts towards enforcing immigration laws. This change involves Homeland Security investigators who usually handle money laundering activities now conducting raids on small businesses, including restaurants, in search of undocumented immigrants.

Additionally, personnel originally tasked with tackling drug trafficking and tax evasion have been reassigned to immigration enforcement duties. As President Trump proclaims plans to deport a significant number of “criminal aliens,” federal law enforcement officials from various agencies are being mobilized to join the immigration enforcement effort, diverting resources from critical areas such as drug trafficking, terrorism, and sexual abuse cases.

This portrayal of the Trump administration’s reorganization of law enforcement agencies, the most significant restructuring since the 2001 terrorist attacks, is informed by interviews with over 20 current and former federal agents and administrative officials. Most of those interviewed requested anonymity due to their lack of authorization to discuss these changes publicly.

Theresa Cardinal Brown, a former official with Homeland Security who has worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations, commented, “I have never witnessed this extensive allocation of federal resources directed towards immigration enforcement. When agencies are instructed to shift their focus, other important priorities inevitably take a back seat.”

In a response to inquiries from Reuters, Assistant Secretary at Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin indicated that the U.S. government is actively mobilizing federal and state law enforcement agencies to locate and deport individuals living in the country illegally. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not address questions regarding its staff reallocations but noted it is “protecting the U.S. from many threats.” The White House has not commented on this issue.

Although the Trump administration has not provided a thorough breakdown of this renewed focus on immigration enforcement, it recalls the foundation of the Department of Homeland Security following the 9/11 attacks, which consolidated 169,000 federal employees from various agencies to enhance the fight against terrorism.

Critics, such as U.S. Senate’s No. 2 Democrat Dick Durbin, label this crackdown as a “misguided diversion of resources,” arguing that it compromises public safety by pulling away operatives who could address serious crimes such as corporate fraud and human trafficking. In contrast, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche asserts that prioritizing immigration does not detract from the ongoing pursuit of violent crime, stating that the initiative is a necessary response to what Trump views as an “invasion.”

On January 20, during his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to collaborate in combating the alleged “invasion” of illegal immigrants. He portrays the approximately 11 million undocumented individuals in the U.S. as contributors to crime and economic strain, claims that lack substantial backing from government data.

Without delay, federal law enforcement began showcasing their immigration enforcement actions on social media, with agents clad in protective gear marked with various agency insignias—including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—during raids targeting undocumented immigrants.

Traditionally, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) focused on gun-related offenses and drug-related crimes, but since Trump’s administration, nearly 80% of ATF’s agents have been repurposed to assist in immigration enforcement operations. These agents are largely involved in efforts to locate undocumented individuals, described as “fugitive hunters.”

The DEA has similarly reallocated a portion of its workforce, with former officials estimating that about a quarter of its resources are now dedicated to immigration-related activities. Many agents reassigned to immigration enforcement lack training or experience with immigration law, with some coming from departments that typically focus on visa and passport fraud examinations.

Such changes have triggered a series of lawsuits, alleging that the Trump administration is overstepping legal boundaries while carrying out extraordinary immigration measures. These range from using 18th-century wartime powers to deport alleged gang members to detaining U.S. citizens for their participation in lawful protests.

The administration maintains that its actions are constitutionally justified and aimed at preserving the safety of U.S. citizens and protecting jobs. So far, the outcomes of these initiatives present a mixed picture: while interest in crossing the southern U.S. border has reportedly decreased, the number of immigration detentions has surged, leading experts to predict that deportation figures may climb in the near future.

The Impact on Law Enforcement Resources

The emphasis on immigration enforcement is draining resources from other law enforcement sectors, as confirmed by sources familiar with the situation. Until the recent reorganizations, immigration enforcement tasks were primarily handled by two agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which together comprise approximately 80,000 employees. However, this landscape is changing significantly.

Matthew Allen, a former official with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), reports that specialized agents previously focusing on child exploitation cases are now being redeployed to handle immigration duties. Data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that these agents have aided in the recovery of over 3,000 child victims in recent years. Allen opines that diverting these resources may exacerbate the ongoing exploitation of vulnerable children.

HSI typically focuses on various national security threats and financial crimes, with immigration enforcement falling under a different branch known as Enforcement and Removal Operations. However, following a recent internal directive, HSI agents have been instructed to prepare for an increased role in enforcing immigration laws.

Training sessions for HSI personnel now include methods for surveilling undocumented immigrants, conducting stop-and-frisk operations, and engaging in warrantless arrests. Concurrently, the IRS has reported repurposing its criminal investigation agents, who usually handle financial offenses, to assist in immigration operations.

As federal prosecutors are inundated with immigration-related cases, there has been a noticeable uptick in prosecutions for immigration violations, particularly in regions like San Diego and Detroit. Meanwhile, historical data shows that cases involving immigration law violations had previously been minimal among prosecutions brought forth by the DEA and ATF.

The result of these newly imposed priorities is an obligation for federal agents to revisit old cases, leading to renewed arrests based on past allegations where charges were previously declined due to evidence issues.

As President Trump and industry leaders like Elon Musk seek to streamline the federal workforce, jobs associated with immigration enforcement remain largely insulated from these cuts. A recent communication to ICE employees clarified that they would not qualify for retirement buyout options available to other federal workers.

The changing landscape of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration raises significant questions about the future of law enforcement priorities in the U.S., as well as the broader implications for crime rates and public safety.

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