Weezha Roz-USA-According to a USA Today report, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has altered the operational priorities of its 6,000 agents in areas like drug enforcement, terrorism, and human trafficking, directing them to focus primarily on deporting illegal immigrants, following a direct order from the Trump administration.
These changes align with Trump’s executive order to implement a policy of “border security prioritization and the removal of illegal immigrants.”
Former agents from organized crime, human trafficking, and terrorism units are now tasked with identifying, detaining, and deporting illegal immigrants.
This includes agents from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), and U.S. Marshals.
According to a statement from DHS, this shift is “necessary to address the threats arising from the previous administration’s open border policies.”
The Trump administration has overturned the previous policy that limited immigration enforcement in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, churches, and shelters.
Now, agents are authorized to make arrests in these areas without needing special permits.
This decision has faced strong criticism from human rights groups. According to one Chicago clergy member, the action is “an attempt to instill fear in the immigrant community.”
The U.S. Department of Justice has instructed agencies like the FBI and Bureau of Prisons to review their files to identify illegal immigrants.
Additionally, military forces are being used to expand detention capacity and move immigrants to the borders.
So far, 1,500 additional personnel have been deployed to the southern border, and recent ICE operations have focused on cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
In the early days of Trump’s presidency, 308 illegal immigrants, including those accused of serious crimes, were detained.
Local governments in these cities have labeled these actions as “a violation of state sovereignty” and continue to resist legally.
Increased surprise inspections at workplaces and heavy fines for employing unauthorized immigrants have placed industries like agriculture, hospitality, and construction under pressure.
Employers are now required to implement stricter protocols for verifying employee documentation (such as the I-9 form) and to cooperate with the E-Verify system.
Mexico has opposed the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, calling it “a unilateral decision.”
The United Nations has warned that these policies could lead to a “humanitarian disaster” at the borders, especially given the suspension of support programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela.
It is predicted that with increased cooperation between federal agencies, the number of arrests and deportations will rise significantly.
Multiple courts are examining the legality of Trump’s orders, particularly regarding the broad powers granted to agents.
Industries dependent on migrant labor will face labor shortages and increased compliance costs.
Conclusion
These changes represent a fundamental shift in the U.S. immigration strategy under the Trump administration, prioritizing border security over human and economic concerns.
While supporters of these policies view them as “necessary to protect American jobs,” critics warn that their social and international consequences are unpredictable.
weezha Roz
