Immigration
More fuel to the fire: Trump gives more federal agencies authority to arrest immigrants
Under Trump’s orders, the FBI, DEA and other federal agencies will now have the authority to investigate and arrest illegal immigrants.

In a controversial escalation of his immigration crackdown, former President Donald Trump has authorized the FBI, DEA, and other federal agencies to investigate and arrest undocumented immigrants, marking a significant expansion of immigration enforcement powers.
This directive aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. Within his first week in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders and memoranda that fuel his hardline immigration agenda. The latest move? A sweeping order granting multiple agencies within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to target undocumented immigrants across the country.
Expanded powers for federal agencies
Under Trump’s directive, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman issued an order empowering DOJ agencies to investigate and apprehend undocumented immigrants. This list includes the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
“Today’s action empowers law enforcement officials at the DOJ to help identify and apprehend aliens who have illegally come into our country,” read a press release from the DOJ on January 23.
With this expanded authority, federal agencies are tasked with reviewing their databases and leveraging advanced technology to locate undocumented individuals and proceed with their arrests.
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Trump’s vision for mass deportation
This move is just one piece of Trump’s larger plan for mass deportation, a strategy he has touted since his presidential campaign. His goal? To deport an estimated 15 to 20 million undocumented immigrants residing in the United States.
In just his first week in office, Trump implemented sweeping measures that have already had far-reaching consequences. These include:
- Border closures: Halting asylum claims at the southern border.
- Targeted raids: Deporting hundreds of immigrants in coordinated ICE operations.
- Arrests in sensitive locations: Authorizing the arrest of undocumented immigrants near schools and places of worship.
- Fast-track deportations: Expanding the use of expedited removal, allowing deportation without a court hearing.
- Ending birthright citizenship: Signing an executive order aimed at revoking citizenship granted to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. However, a judge temporarily blocked this measure calling it “a blatantly unconstitutional order.”
What this means for immigrant communities
For immigrant communities, these measures mark a new era of fear and uncertainty. Trump’s directive not only broadens the scope of agencies involved in immigration enforcement but also intensifies efforts to locate and deport individuals, even in places historically considered off-limits.
Critics argue that this aggressive approach could lead to violations of civil liberties and the targeting of vulnerable populations, while supporters view it as a necessary step to enforce immigration laws and secure the nation’s borders.
As this sweeping policy unfolds, millions of immigrants across the country are bracing for the impact.
Original article written by Daniela Barrera, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Greg Heilman.
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