The Trump administration has broadened the authority for deportation, allowing federal agencies such as the DEA to participate in immigration enforcement, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
This move, as reported by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, stems from an internal memo that outlines the proposed changes. In this memo, acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman details a strategy aimed at broadening the scope of immigration enforcement.
The plan involves extending the powers typically reserved for immigration officers to several key agencies within the Justice Department. Notably, this includes the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
By granting these additional powers to agencies that traditionally focus on different aspects of law enforcement, the administration is essentially creating a more integrated approach to immigration enforcement. This extension of authority will likely enable these agencies to identify, detain, and possibly deport individuals who may be residing in the country illegally, all while carrying out their primary duties.
The implications of this policy shift are significant, as it represents an aggressive step in the administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls. It may also raise various concerns among civil rights advocates and immigrant communities, who may fear increased scrutiny and enforcement actions in their daily lives.
Overall, this strategy reflects the administration’s broader agenda to prioritize immigration enforcement and pursue a more comprehensive approach to handling immigration-related issues across multiple federal agencies.