The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will soon add armed officers to its ranks to investigate immigration fraud, a significant shift in the agency’s role under a new rule finalized by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The change takes effect in 30 days and marks a new enforcement arm within the traditionally administrative agency.
“By upholding the integrity of our immigration system, we enforce the laws of this nation,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, who was appointed by President Donald Trump. He said the new officers will serve as a “force multiplier” in coordination with other law enforcement, including the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The policy authorizes USCIS to conduct criminal investigations, initiate expedited removal proceedings, and pursue civil and criminal violations of immigration law. Previously, the agency forwarded such cases to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“This is not about arresting aliens,” Edlow said at a Center for Immigration Studies event, “this is about going after fraud and national security cases.”
The expansion comes amid Trump’s broader immigration crackdown and DHS’s push for more internal enforcement across federal agencies.
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