ICE officers, sidelined for the past four years in administrative roles due to the Biden-Harris administration’s policies on illegal immigration, are preparing to re-enter the field. This shift aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s plans and the strategic vision of Tom Homan, his designated “border czar.” Together, they intend to dispatch agents in large numbers to sanctuary cities across the country.
This decision could result in thousands of ICE officers leaving their desks to target millions of undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. through the overwhelmed southern border and are now residing throughout the nation.
ICE’s workforce totals about 21,000 employees, including a mix of law enforcement and administrative staff, as detailed in a Department of Homeland Security budget summary.
While the exact number of officers moving from desk duties to fieldwork remains uncertain, sources from ICE offices on both the East and West Coasts estimate that currently 60-70% of their officers are confined to desk jobs.
Officers expressed eagerness to resume their work on the streets, with one stating they were ready to pursue “criminals that Biden let roam freely in the country for the last four years without any consequences.”
One ICE officer mentioned they are “looking forward” to returning to street-level operations, while another noted that although they lack ICE-specific arrest experience, their years in the Border Patrol have prepared them well for the task.
Reintroducing a field operation model won’t be without its challenges; retraining officers who have been in administrative roles during the Biden-Harris administration will be necessary, according to sources.
In a recent interview, Homan—a former police officer and border agent from West Carthage, New York—issued a stern message to sanctuary cities, including New York City, urging them to work with federal authorities.
“If they’re not willing to do it then get out of the way — we’re coming,” Homan declared. He noted that enforcing immigration laws in these cities would require considerable manpower and stated, “so if I have to flood agents to the sanctuary cities to get the job done then that’s what we’re gonna do.”
Despite the enthusiasm for change, some within ICE are concerned about insufficient resources, even with the reassignments.
“Personnel must be available to carry out these ‘mass deportations.’ Currently, many units are depleted,” said one ICE source.
The source further explained, “If the fugitive operations street team isn’t making enough arrests, they’ll be the first to feel the pressure,” referencing the program tasked with locating and arresting individuals deemed threats to public safety or national security.
“If that still doesn’t yield the desired results, more officers will likely be added to the arrest teams,” the source continued.
Numerous ICE positions remain vacant, lacking the necessary funding for hiring, according to insider accounts.
“They haven’t been able to fill these positions due to budget constraints,” commented one source, adding, “They effectively defunded us without explicitly saying it,” in reference to the Biden-Harris administration’s budget decisions.
Homan, who previously held the role of acting ICE director under Trump, shared plans to visit both the southern and northern borders during his first week in office. His objective is to meet with ICE and Border Patrol staff to assess their primary needs.
He also expressed that his priorities would include apprehending undocumented individuals who threaten national security and public safety, as well as reinstating worksite raids, which the Biden-Harris administration ended in October 2021.
In anticipation of Trump’s stricter immigration policies, some migrants are making their way into the U.S. now, hoping to evade the administration’s renewed enforcement.
A Venezuelan family crossing into Eagle Pass, Texas, this Wednesday shared their concerns with The Post, explaining they felt compelled to come now due to fears of deportation under the incoming administration.
“It’s a risk,” said one of the Venezuelan women after entering the U.S., as they were taken into custody by Border Patrol agents.
{Matzav.com}