USCIS Now Armed: New Special Agents Can Arrest — 14,500+ Federal Officers Diverted to Back ICE

The Cato Institute reports that more than 14,500 federal law enforcement officers from various agencies are assisting ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, while DHS has authorized USCIS to recruit armed special agents with powers to investigate, execute warrants, arrest individuals, carry firearms, and order expedited removals. USCIS says it will train these agents to handle investigations end-to-end and serve as a force multiplier; critics warn this shifts a benefits agency into enforcement and could chill applicants.