Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has taken bold action. She signed a memo deputizing up to 600 State Department officials as immigration officers. The move is part of a government-wide push to ramp up deportations.
Noem’s order allows up to 600 special agents from the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service to arrest and deport illegal immigrants. This expands the number of officials enforcing immigration laws.
"Under President Trump, the Department of Homeland Security will use every tool and resource available to secure our border and get criminal illegal aliens out of our country," Noem said. "The safety of American citizens comes first."
The Trump administration is making immigration enforcement a priority. DHS is expanding its efforts to increase arrests and deportations. More officials are being brought in to help.
DHS has already deputized IRS employees and law enforcement officials from the Justice Department. The Texas Attorney General’s Office is also involved.
"It is DHS’s understanding that the Department of Treasury has qualified law enforcement personnel available to assist with immigration enforcement, especially in light of recent increases to the Internal Revenue Service’s workforce and budget," Noem said last week.
Interior arrests have skyrocketed. Fox News Digital reported a 137% increase compared to the same period in 2024. DHS data shows 11,791 interior ICE arrests from Jan. 20 to Feb. 8, compared to 4,969 last year. Border crossings have trended downward.
The administration is targeting the "worst of the worst." Criminal illegal immigrants and gang members are the focus. But officials aren’t ruling anyone out.
The U.S. is also working with Mexico and Canada. Venezuela and Colombia have agreed to take back their nationals. More cooperation means more deportations.
DHS is shutting down Biden-era parole programs. Temporary Protected Status is also being scaled back. The military is being deployed to the border, and Guantanamo Bay is being used to house illegal immigrants.