In a decisive move to address illegal immigration, President Donald Trump has expanded enforcement efforts by authorizing thousands of federal agents to assist in identifying and deporting undocumented individuals. The Department of Homeland Security, led by acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman, issued a directive that grants immigration enforcement powers to multiple Justice Department agencies.

The order allows agents from the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and Bureau of Prisons to actively participate in immigration enforcement efforts, a role typically reserved for ICE and Border Patrol. This expansion provides a significant boost in personnel, adding approximately 31,000 officers to the existing enforcement force.

Is this a much better use of @ATFHQ agents?@realDonaldTrump is trying to amass a larger force of law-enforcement officials to carry out deportations by granting agents across the federal government the same powers as immigration officershttps://t.co/GC35Igvek7

— John R Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) January 23, 2025

Huffman said the directive is part of Trump’s commitment to secure the border and remove those who entered the country illegally, calling it a “major step” in fixing the longstanding lack of enforcement resources. She added that law enforcement now has the tools to go after individuals who have “illegally come into our country.”

The Trump administration has authorized the DEA, ATF and the US Marshals to begin making immigration arrests and processing deportations, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

The move gives those federal agents the same authority as those with Homeland Security… pic.twitter.com/nmYYQHgAdT

— Crime In NYC (@CrimeInNYC) January 24, 2025

Since Trump’s return to the White House, ICE has already made substantial progress in enforcement operations. In recent days, federal agents detained over 500 individuals across multiple cities, including known gang members and individuals charged with serious crimes such as child exploitation.

🚨 BREAKING:

President Trump has now given the ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service the ability to arrest illegals, per WSJ..

This instantly added almost TEN THOUSAND new federal agents to the deportation squad…

They’re ALL going back ! pic.twitter.com/eJRRoQitdK

— Viktorija (@TrumpGirl44) January 25, 2025

Critics of Trump’s plan argue that law enforcement resources could be stretched thin by diverting personnel from their primary duties. However, supporters believe the expanded force is a necessary step in restoring law and order after years of lax enforcement policies.

Trump grants deportation powers to ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals! 🇺🇸 Agencies tackling drugs and weapons now stepping into immigration enforcement. The border fight just leveled up. pic.twitter.com/Aa2HxECT3r

— TexanonX™ (@TexanonX) January 23, 2025

The directive comes as the administration continues to roll out aggressive measures aimed at ending policies such as catch-and-release, which allowed migrants to remain in the U.S. while awaiting court hearings. Border Patrol sources report that new policies are leading to immediate expulsions, with many being turned away at the border.

🚨Update: Trump empowers all Justice Department agents to deport illegal migrants — WSJ. The newspaper noted that DEA and ATF employees had not been involved in immigration enforcement, except where there are gun-related or drug-trafficking crimes!! pic.twitter.com/dSr4bu8OqB

— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) January 23, 2025