In a bold move, the Trump administration is considering enlisting IRS agents to tackle illegal immigration, potentially redefining the role of the tax agency.
Quick Takes
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem requests Treasury to deputize IRS agents for immigration enforcement.
- Plan involves IRS agents supporting ICE in apprehension, removal, and investigation of illegal hiring.
- Initiative aims to utilize existing IRS personnel rather than hiring new Homeland Security agents.
- Proposal targets over 20 million estimated illegal immigrants in the U.S.
- Sanctuary cities are legally challenging Trump’s executive orders on immigration enforcement.
Trump Administration’s Innovative Approach to Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration is exploring a novel strategy to address illegal immigration by potentially reassigning Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents to assist with immigration enforcement duties. This unexpected move comes as part of a broader effort to maximize existing government resources in tackling the ongoing challenge of illegal immigration in the United States.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has taken the lead on this initiative, formally requesting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to deputize IRS agents for immigration enforcement purposes. The proposal outlines a plan where IRS personnel would support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in various tasks, including the apprehension and removal of illegal aliens, as well as investigations into unlawful hiring practices.
Leveraging Existing Resources
This innovative approach stems partly from the increased workforce and budget allocated to the IRS under the Biden administration. Rather than hiring new Homeland Security agents, the Trump administration aims to utilize the existing pool of IRS personnel more efficiently. President Donald Trump has proposed moving nearly 90,000 IRS agents to assist with securing the southern border, a move that aligns with his directive to use all available resources to enforce immigration laws.
“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 work force and budget.” – Kristi Noem
The broader goal of this initiative is to address the large number of illegal immigrants in the U.S., estimated to be over 20 million. By deputizing IRS agents, the administration hopes to significantly boost its capacity to enforce immigration laws and secure the nation’s borders.
Expanded Roles for IRS Agents
Under the proposed plan, IRS agents would be tasked with a variety of roles in support of immigration enforcement. These include supporting immigration task forces, targeting illegal hiring practices, investigating human trafficking, seizing assets related to immigration crimes, overseeing contracts, aiding in apprehensions, monitoring migrants, assisting in detentions, and helping with removals.
The IRS’s existing expertise in investigating complex financial crimes, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption, is seen as valuable in building comprehensive cases involving tax, immigration, and money laundering charges. This multi-faceted approach aims to create a more robust enforcement mechanism against illegal immigration and related criminal activities.
Challenges and Opposition
While the administration sees this as an effective use of government resources, the proposal has met with resistance, particularly from sanctuary cities. Led by San Francisco, these cities are legally challenging Trump’s executive orders that cut federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions and seek to prosecute non-cooperative local officials.
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu argues that sanctuary laws actually improve public safety and that the federal government is overstepping its authority. This legal challenge highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration policies and local jurisdictions’ approaches to public safety and community relations.
Sources:
- Finally, a Productive Task for the IRS: Trump Admin Recruiting IRS Agents to Help With Repatriations
- Trump’s Department of Homeland Security looking to deputize IRS agents for immigration enforcement
- Homeland Security asks for IRS agents to be deputized to root out illegal migrants
