Kennedy CBP Hiring Bill Could Fuel ICE Deportations As Ports Officers Diverted To HSI

Rep. Tim Kennedy’s bill would require CBP to hire 1,000 officers annually to staff ports of entry, but critics warn those officers are the same class being reassigned to immigration enforcement and deportations under ICE/HSI task forces. Data cited from Cato indicates 3,100 Office of Field Operations officers have been diverted this year, with Buffalo-area examples including prolonged bridge detentions and use of CBP stations for holding migrants. Kennedy’s office says the goal is to speed lawful crossings, while the White House won’t pre-judge the bill; opponents urge statutory guardrails to prevent diversion that could expand deportation capacity.