U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, many of whom have been behind desks processing paperwork for the past four years under the Biden-Harris administration, are preparing to return to active duty in the field. Under President-elect Donald Trump and his designated “border czar,” Tom Homan, ICE agents are set to intensify their efforts, particularly targeting sanctuary cities across the country. The goal is to increase arrests of illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. through the southern border.
ICE, with a workforce of around 21,000 employees, includes both law enforcement agents and non-enforcement personnel handling administrative tasks. While the total number of law enforcement officers currently assigned to desk jobs isn’t clear, sources from ICE’s West and East Coast offices have indicated that approximately 60-70% of their personnel have been relegated to administrative roles. This shift has left many officers eager to return to the field, especially those frustrated by what they perceive as lax enforcement under the current administration.
Some ICE officers are excited about the possibility of resuming arrest operations, particularly as they feel the previous administration allowed criminals to remain in the U.S. without facing consequences. For officers with past Border Patrol experience, the transition back to active fieldwork is expected to be relatively smooth. However, the new administration faces the challenge of training officers who haven’t made arrests during the last few years, as many ICE agents were focused on paperwork rather than enforcement.
Trump’s former acting ICE Director, Tom Homan, has made it clear that sanctuary cities, including New York City, should expect more federal action. Homan, who has been named as the “border czar,” emphasized that if cities resist federal efforts to enforce immigration laws, ICE agents will be dispatched to ensure compliance. He indicated that flooding sanctuary cities with agents would be necessary to enforce tougher immigration policies.
Despite the intention to ramp up operations, there are concerns within ICE about the lack of resources needed to effectively execute mass deportations. With numerous positions vacant and limited funding to fill them, ICE agents worry that the current staffing shortages could impede their ability to carry out their duties effectively. Homan’s plan includes addressing these gaps, with a focus on enhancing fugitive operations and cracking down on illegal migrants who pose national security or public safety risks.
ICE is also expected to resume worksite raids, which were halted by the Biden administration in 2021, and to prioritize the deportation of individuals who threaten the country’s security. However, the agency will need additional funding for personnel and detention facilities to carry out these measures successfully.
As Trump prepares to take office, some migrants are reportedly choosing to cross the border now, fearing stricter immigration policies under his administration. One family from Venezuela, for example, expressed their awareness of the risks involved in entering the U.S. now, believing they might be deported once Trump takes office.
In the coming months, ICE is poised to undergo a significant shift in operations, with thousands of agents returning to the field to enforce immigration laws more aggressively. However, with concerns about staffing and funding, the transition may present significant challenges for the agency and the new administration.