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2mo ago

DHS Deputizes State Department Agents to Expand Immigration Enforcement

Secretary Kristi Noem authorizes 600 Diplomatic Security Service agents to perform immigration officer duties as part of Trump administration's intensified deportation efforts.

A law enforcement officer stands on a set of stairs outside an apartment complex during a raid Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in east Denver.

Overview

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has deputized up to 600 agents from the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service to assist in immigration enforcement activities, including arrests and deportations.
  • This move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration strategy, which prioritizes mass deportations and heightened border security.
  • Other federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Justice, have also had employees deputized for immigration enforcement roles.
  • Critics, including legal and policy experts, have raised concerns about the legality of cross-department deputization and whether these agents are adequately trained for immigration enforcement tasks.
  • The administration reports a significant increase in interior arrests compared to the same period in 2024, while border crossings by illegal immigrants have reportedly declined.