The Trump administration has transformed nearly every major federal department into an immigration enforcement arm, prioritizing mass deportations and expanding strategies beyond traditional Homeland Security roles. Agencies like the Department of Defense, Justice, and even the IRS now execute policies targeting undocumented migrants, employers, and sanctuary cities. This whole-of-government approach signals unprecedented coordination to fulfill the president’s campaign promises.
Here's how key agencies are involved:
- Department of State: Secretary Marco Rubio secured deportation agreements with Central American nations, while 600 Diplomatic Security agents assist in arrests.
- Department of Defense: Air Force planes now conduct deportation flights, and troops are deployed to the border under revised emergency protocols.
- Department of Justice: Lawsuits challenge sanctuary policies in New York and Illinois, and FBI/DEA agents join ICE operations.
The Pentagon’s use of Guantanamo Bay for migrant flights and proposed Insurrection Act measures have sparked debate.
There’s a very clear line... people do not want to see uniformed military arresting migrants in homes or schools,said Tom Warrick of the Atlantic Council.
Other agencies are also mobilized:
The IRS targets employers hiring undocumented workers, while Health and Human Services suspended legal aid for migrant children. New executive orders aim to block federal benefits for undocumented individuals, potentially affecting emergency healthcare and education access.
Legal experts question the administration’s strategies.
The breadth of these actions exceeds Trump’s first term,warned Migration Policy Institute analyst Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh. With additional plans to leverage Labor and Education departments, this multi-agency framework could redefine immigration enforcement for decades.