A strategic shift in federal resources draws attention as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seeks assistance from another government agency.
According to Breitbart News, Secretary Noem has formally requested Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to reassign IRS criminal investigators to support deportation operations, specifically targeting the financial activities of human traffickers.
The request follows a pattern of inter-agency cooperation initiated by DHS, which previously sought support from the Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms. This expansion of deportation resources reflects the administration's intensified focus on immigration enforcement and border security measures.
The IRS Criminal Investigation division possesses unique capabilities that could strengthen deportation operations. With 2,290 special agents trained in forensic accounting and financial investigations, these officers carry full police powers, including the authority to make arrests and carry firearms.
Their track record demonstrates significant success in financial crime investigations. In 2024, the division uncovered $2.1 billion in tax fraud and an additional $7 billion in other financial crimes, showcasing their investigative expertise.
These agents differ from regular IRS enforcement officers, bringing specialized skills in tracking complex financial networks that could prove valuable in identifying and disrupting human trafficking operations.
A DHS spokesperson explained the broader context of the inter-agency collaboration.
Thanks to the last Administration's open border policies, we've seen violent criminals and gang members terrorize American communities. Today's action empowers law enforcement officials at the DOJ to help identify and apprehend aliens who have illegally come into our country.
The initiative has already authorized several federal agencies to participate in immigration enforcement. The Department of Justice has empowered the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Federal Bureau of Prisons to investigate and apprehend individuals residing illegally in the United States.
The DHS spokesperson further elaborated on the significance of this multi-agency approach:
Mobilizing these law enforcement officials will help fulfill President Trump's promise to the American people to carry out mass deportations. For decades, efforts to find and apprehend illegal aliens have not been given proper resources. This is a major step in fixing that problem.
Secretary Noem's request to incorporate IRS criminal investigators into deportation operations represents a significant development in federal immigration enforcement strategy.
The Department of Homeland Security aims to leverage the IRS Criminal Investigation division's expertise in financial forensics to combat human trafficking networks facilitating illegal immigration.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to coordinate multiple federal agencies in support of enhanced immigration enforcement. With the involvement of various law enforcement bodies, including the U.S. Marshals Service and DEA, the administration continues to expand its capabilities for implementing large-scale deportation operations.
This coordinated approach signals a new phase in federal immigration enforcement, combining traditional deportation methods with sophisticated financial investigation techniques to address both illegal immigration and related criminal activities.
