The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is exploring the option of deputizing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal investigators and other personnel from the Treasury Department to assist in immigration enforcement, according to a recent DHS document and an agency spokesperson.
This move comes as part of the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement, especially in the face of increasing illegal border crossings. By involving IRS investigators, who already have expertise in criminal investigations, the DHS hopes to bolster its capacity to identify and target individuals involved in immigration-related crimes, including fraud and illegal employment practices.
While some lawmakers support the plan, others raise concerns about the overlap between financial enforcement and immigration control. The proposal is expected to spark debate as it moves through internal and public discussions.
