A new memo granted deportation power to officers across several federal agencies

Internal memo

An internal memo by acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman granted immigration-enforcement authority to several Justice Department agencies.

DoJ and DHS federal agents

The memo, obtained by the Wall Street Journal, said the Trump Administration will grant deportation power to many federal agents from various agencies.

Drugs, guns, and others

They include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the US Marshall Service, the WSJ reported.

FBI

The document also reminded the Justice Department that the FBI already has immigration-enforcement authority through Title 8. However, it rarely uses it unless it is related to other investigations.

Amassing a larger force

According to the newspaper, with the directive, the Trump Administration is trying to amass an immense force to carry out President Trump's promised mass deportations.

A look into the future?

The memo does not include a directive for the agents to use those powers. Still, it demonstrates one of the pathways the new Administration can take to guarantee deportations.

Lack of resources

According to the WSJ, many agencies that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) referred to constantly complained of a lack of resources to perform their primary missions.

Campaign promises

"Mobilizing these law enforcement officials will help fulfill President Trump's promise to the American people to carry out mass deportations," Mr. Huffman said in a statement collected by CBS.

Among other moves

The directive confirms that the Trump Administration's top priority is to deliver the mass deportation he promised. Other measures also signal the same.

Tougher prosecution

The new Administration authorized ICE agents to enter schools, hospitals, and churches if necessary to apprehend undocumented immigrants. It also directed prosecutors to investigate local officials who oppose deportations.

Broadening directives

According to the New York Times, another internal memo directed ICE agents to use quick deportation methods against immigrants who legally entered using Biden-era Temporary Protection Status programs.

Identifying evidence

CBS said another memo ordered Justice Department agencies like the FBI to identify any evidence related to noncitizens in the US during the next two months and report it to the DHS.

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