The Trump administration is reportedly planning to recruit hundreds of border patrol agents to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest illegal immigrants in the U.S. interior.
According to CBS News, sources told the news outlet the plan elevates exiting efforts to remove illegal immigrants and is expected to involve approximately 500 personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
According to sources who requested anonymity because the plans have yet to be announced, the plan will encompass green-uniformed Border Patrol agents responsible for preventing the unlawful entry of migrants and drugs. The sources noted that CBP already has authority to arrest individuals who are suspected of living in the U.S. illegally.
The operation will allegedly include the CBP’s Office of Field Operations and are expected to assist ICE across its 25 field offices.
The plan underscores the Trump administration’s broad initiative to secure the personnel needed to intensify its crackdown on illegal immigration, which was part of President Donald Trump 2024 campaign promises.
Meanwhile, Congress is deliberating on allocating billions of dollars to ICE for the recruitment of thousands of additional immigration agents and the expansion of detention facilities.
Law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies have already been recruited to help with the effort — including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service — to assist ICE in identifying and apprehending illegal immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security has also requested 20,000 troops from the National Guard to provide support, while the Department of Defense has deployed troops to help secure the southern border.
CBS News further reported that since Trump took office, there has been a significant drop off in illegal border crossings, likely the lowest since the 1960s.
