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6d ago

USCIS Adds Law Enforcement Agents With Arrest Powers Under New Rule

A new DHS rule grants arrest, firearms, warrant authority to the agency’s fraud unit to pursue suspected immigration fraud.

The seal of U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seen before the news conference with Acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons at ICE Headquarters, in Washington, Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
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Overview

  • The final rule published Thursday authorizes USCIS to hire special agents empowered to make arrests, carry firearms, and execute search and arrest warrants.
  • An initial cohort of about 200 agents will be recruited and trained over the coming months before being embedded across USCIS operations nationwide.
  • The authority resides within the agency’s fraud detection unit, marking a shift for a benefits-focused office that historically did not conduct enforcement.
  • Director Joseph Edlow said the goal is to deter fraudulent applications rather than discourage eligible applicants, calling the capability a force multiplier with partners including the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
  • USCIS said the rule takes effect 30 days after publication, reflecting the administration’s broader effort to expand immigration enforcement capacity.