The Federal Bureau of Investigation is shifting gears in a significant way as it prepares to reassign a large portion of its field agents to immigration enforcement efforts. Internal directives obtained this week reveal that up to 2,000 FBI agents—approximately 45% of the agency’s field staff—will transition from their current investigative duties to focus full-time on immigration-related operations. The move comes as part of a coordinated push by federal agencies to crack down on illegal immigration and bolster enforcement mechanisms across the country.
According to internal memos circulated among FBI offices, the reallocation is being framed as a necessary adjustment to meet “upcoming operational goals” in collaboration with the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. “We have been actively engaged in immigration enforcement in coordination with our partners,” one memo read. “Now, an increase in field support is required to meet the scale of what’s ahead.”
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson confirmed the move, emphasizing that the bureau remains fully committed to supporting interagency efforts in this domain. He noted that the reassignment will be strategic and temporary, although no timeline has yet been provided for when agents might return to their original assignments.
This shift is part of a broader, nationwide initiative that involves multiple federal agencies. Recent legal developments have allowed the Internal Revenue Service to share tax data in aid of immigration investigations, while the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department have also been enlisted to assist in identifying undocumented individuals. At the local level, more than 450 law enforcement agencies are now participating in the 287(g) program, which deputizes local officers to help enforce federal immigration law.
Supporters of the move argue that such interagency collaboration is essential for curbing human trafficking, preventing exploitation, and restoring law and order in areas impacted by undocumented migration. At a recent event in Washington, former immigration enforcement official Tom Homan recounted a harrowing case involving a pregnant 14-year-old girl who was rescued from a human trafficking situation. “She’s now getting the medical and psychological care she needs,” he said. “It’s cases like these that remind us why enforcement matters—not just for legal reasons, but for human reasons.”
However, the policy shift has also sparked criticism from civil liberties groups and immigration advocates, who argue that redirecting federal investigative resources could leave other crucial cases under-prioritized. Some warn of potential overreach, while others question the long-term effectiveness of heavy enforcement without parallel reforms to immigration policy and social services.
In the meantime, data from the Department of Homeland Security suggests a steep decline in illegal border crossings, with recent months showing a 93% drop in daily migrant encounters. Officials also report a sharp reduction in the number of “gotaways”—those who cross the border undetected.
Despite these gains, estimates suggest millions of undocumented individuals still reside within the United States, many of whom have unresolved legal or criminal issues. FBI officials and other federal partners believe that refocusing investigative manpower will be instrumental in identifying and addressing these cases.
The FBI has not specified how long agents will remain focused on immigration enforcement or how other critical investigations—such as those involving organized crime, cyber threats, or public corruption—will be impacted during this period. Still, the message is clear: immigration enforcement is no longer a side task—it’s a central mission.
As field operations expand and agencies coordinate more closely, federal officials say they remain mindful of the delicate balance between national security, human rights, and the responsibilities of law enforcement. For now, the country’s premier investigative agency is being tasked with a different kind of casework—one that extends far beyond borders, policies, and politics.