In Washington, the federal response to immigration enforcement has significantly broadened, involving multiple government agencies in ways not seen in previous administrations. As the Trump administration moves forward with its commitment to tighten borders and carry out mass deportations, the efforts span across various departments, elevating immigration as a priority beyond just the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump’s vision for immigration enforcement indicates a “whole-of-government” strategy where immigration enforcement becomes a common focus for nearly all major Cabinet agencies.
The State Department, Defense Department, and Department of Justice have all highlighted immigration in their missions and communications. Additional contributions are being made by sections of the Departments of the Treasury and Health and Human Services, showcasing an expansive federal focus on immigration enforcement expected to grow even further. In a recent move, the president signed an executive order aiming to terminate federal benefits for individuals illegally residing in the U.S., signaling a dramatic shift in policy.
Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, an associate policy analyst from the Migration Policy Institute, observed that the scope of these early weeks in the new administration has already exceeded what was observed during Trump’s previous term. The approach emphasizes the urgent need to address not just the arrests of undocumented individuals, but also the logistical challenges of deporting them, making the involvement of the State Department crucial.
During his initial international engagements, Secretary of State Marco Rubio secured agreements with Central American countries like Guatemala and El Salvador to accept deported individuals. This breakthrough addresses a significant obstacle faced by U.S. agencies—many countries often refuse to accept their own citizens upon deportation. While other topics were discussed during Rubio’s trip, immigration clearly topped the agenda.
Tom Warrick, a former top counterterrorism official at DHS, highlighted the shift in priorities, emphasizing how the State Department now carries a greater responsibility in facilitating foreign cooperation on immigration issues. Such alignment within the State Department’s leadership, featuring individuals experienced in immigration policy and fluent in Spanish, reinforces the administration’s determination to secure borders and manage immigration more effectively.
Alongside this, the military’s role in border security has intensified. Historically, the Defense Department has supported border security efforts dating back to the George W. Bush era. However, recent actions by the Biden administration indicate an even more pronounced military presence at the U.S.-Mexico border, with increased troop numbers and a notable shift toward utilizing Air Force planes for deportation operations. This marks a significant deviation from previous protocols, as the military becomes more actively involved in immigration enforcement.
In a strategic move, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has expressed readiness to deploy all available resources to bolster border control measures. Executive orders from the Biden administration hint at potential changes within the Defense Department, including the possibility of redirecting funds initially intended for border construction. This may involve heightened military engagement in immigration enforcement, raising concerns among the public regarding the visible presence of armed forces in civilian immigration operations.
The Justice Department has also ramped up its involvement in immigration policy, targeting what are deemed “sanctuary cities”—areas that do not cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s administration has pursued legal actions against states like New York and Illinois for their laws that allegedly hinder federal deportation efforts.
Federal agencies such as the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have joined forces in heightened ICE operations to locate and detain undocumented individuals. Putzel-Kavanaugh noted a significant shift in focus, emphasizing an agenda centered around immigration enforcement throughout the DOJ.
The IRS has now entered the fray, assisting in efforts to target employers who breach hiring laws related to undocumented workers. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services has ceased operations of programs providing legal assistance to unaccompanied migrant children.
As the administration progresses, expectations are that other departments such as the Labor Department will begin to play a larger role, particularly regarding workplace enforcement strategies. Education advocates are expressing concerns that data accessed by the Department of Education could be misused to identify undocumented individuals, particularly with recent efforts to track parental citizenship status in relation to student loan information.
Trump’s recent executive order seeks to eliminate taxpayer-funded benefits for undocumented individuals, but specifics on which benefits may be targeted remain unclear. Generally, undocumented persons do not qualify for most benefits, aside from emergency medical assistance, while the Supreme Court ruling ensures access to public education for all children regardless of immigration status.
The directive urges all federal agencies to review their spending on benefits and identify any inconsistencies with the welfare laws established in 1996, which generally exclude undocumented individuals from receiving public assistance.
