
President Trump’s administration has expanded federal agency roles in immigration enforcement, targeting sanctuary cities and reversing Biden-era policies.
At a Glance
- Trump administration authorizes DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals to assist ICE in immigration arrests
- New policies aim to increase deportations and dismantle “catch-and-release” approach
- “Remain in Mexico” program restarted, humanitarian parole programs ended
- ICE conducts 538 arrests of illegal migrant criminals, including 308 in sanctuary cities
- Legal challenges arise from pro-immigrant advocates against new policies
Expanded Federal Agency Powers
The Trump administration has taken decisive action to bolster immigration enforcement by granting new powers to federal agencies traditionally focused on drug enforcement and firearms regulation. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman has authorized the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and U.S. Marshals to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in making immigration arrests and processing deportations.
This unprecedented move equips these federal agents with the same authority as Homeland Security and the FBI when dealing with illegal immigrants. The initiative aims to free up ICE agents and increase immigration-related arrests nationwide, particularly in sanctuary cities that have been resistant to federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The Trump administration has swiftly dismantled several immigration policies implemented during the Biden presidency. Key actions include the cancellation of CBP One appointments, which were previously used to process migrants at legal border crossings, and the shutdown of processing for migrants and asylum seekers. The administration has also restarted the “Remain in Mexico” program and ended humanitarian parole programs for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
“It’s breathtaking, both in terms of substance and just how many actions they’re taking right out of the gate. How far-reaching the impact and harm will be, but also just in terms of the sheer willingness to break the law and attempt to unilaterally rewrite the Constitution,” Heidi Altman from the National Immigration Law Center said.
Yeah, the immigration apologists are mad…
These changes mark a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, with the administration declaring the country is under “invasion” to justify banning undocumented entries. This declaration has led to expanded use of U.S. armed forces domestically, with 1,500 active-duty military personnel deployed to the border.
The administration has launched what it calls a “mass deportation” effort, with plans to expand detention facilities and involve state and local law enforcement in immigration enforcement. And criminals are already being deported.
Acting Secretary Huffman has expanded expedited removal nationwide, allowing for deportation without an immigration judge for those unable to prove over two years of U.S. residency.
Recent ICE operations have targeted serious offenders, including attempted murderers, child molesters, gang members, murderers, and rapists. In a recent operation, ICE made 538 arrests of illegal migrant criminals, with 308 of these arrests occurring in sanctuary cities.
The Trump administration has authorized the DEA, ATF and the US Marshals to begin making immigration arrests and processing deportations, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.
The move gives those federal agents the same authority as those with Homeland Security… pic.twitter.com/nmYYQHgAdT
— Crime In NYC (@CrimeInNYC) January 24, 2025
Good riddance to bad rubbish, as the Brits would say!