The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking to deputize criminal investigators from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other Treasury Department personnel to assist with immigration enforcement, according to a DHS document and an agency spokesperson.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to bolster its immigration enforcement capabilities amid ongoing challenges at the southern border.
In a letter dated February 7, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem requested Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to allocate qualified law enforcement personnel to support DHS in tackling human trafficking networks, identifying businesses hiring undocumented workers, and performing other immigration-related tasks. The letter, reviewed by Reuters, highlights the administration’s “whole-of-government” approach to immigration enforcement.
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“It is DHS’s understanding that the Department of the 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 wrote in the letter.
The Trump administration has increasingly redirected resources from various federal agencies to support its immigration agenda. This includes reassigning agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to focus on deportation efforts and deputizing Justice Department personnel to assist with immigration enforcement. The U.S. military has also played a role, providing deportation flights and detention space, including at the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba.
IRS criminal investigators, known for their expertise in uncovering tax evasion, drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption, could bring valuable skills to immigration enforcement. However, the proposal has sparked debate, with critics questioning the appropriateness of using IRS agents for immigration-related tasks.
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The request comes as the Biden administration’s planned $60 billion investment in the IRS over the next decade faces criticism from Republicans, who argue that the funds could be better allocated elsewhere. In January, House Republicans introduced legislation to abolish the IRS and rewrite the nation’s tax code, though similar efforts have stalled in previous years.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on Noem’s letter. The IRS and Treasury Department have not yet publicly commented on the request.
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