In a sweeping reorganization of federal law enforcement, thousands of agents from agencies like the FBI, DEA, and ATF have been reassigned to enforce immigration laws as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration. This shift, described as the most significant since the 9/11 attacks, has drawn resources away from combating crimes such as drug trafficking, terrorism, child exploitation, and financial fraud, raising concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of federal law enforcement.
According to interviews with over 20 current and former federal officials, agents specializing in areas like money laundering, child abuse, and tax fraud are now conducting raids on small businesses and hunting down immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Theresa Cardinal Brown, a former Homeland Security official, noted, “I do not recall ever seeing this wide a spectrum of federal government resources all being turned toward immigration enforcement.”
The Trump administration has framed the crackdown as necessary to address what it calls an “invasion” of illegal immigrants, blaming them for crime, gang violence, and draining government resources. However, these claims are not supported by government statistics. Critics, including Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, argue that the policy is a “wasteful, misguided diversion of resources” that undermines efforts to combat other serious crimes.
The reassignment of agents has been extensive. For example, about 80% of ATF’s 2,500 agents, who typically investigate firearms offenses and bombings, are now tasked with immigration enforcement. Similarly, a quarter of the DEA’s 10,000 staff have shifted focus from battling drug cartels to immigration operations. Many of these agents lack training in immigration law, further complicating their new roles.
The crackdown has also led to a surge in immigration prosecutions, overwhelming federal prosecutors and diverting attention from other criminal cases. In San Diego, felony immigration charges quadrupled in February compared to the previous year, while drug crime prosecutions declined.
Despite the administration’s claims of protecting American jobs and safety, critics warn that the policy risks leaving other critical areas of law enforcement understaffed and underfunded. As the focus on immigration intensifies, the long-term impact on public safety and federal resources remains uncertain.
