U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has unveiled plans to establish its own armed law enforcement unit, a move aimed at intensifying efforts to combat immigration fraud and safeguard the integrity of the nation's immigration system.
This initiative, announced on Thursday, marks a significant shift for the agency, which is primarily tasked with issuing citizenship, visas, and green cards. The newly trained special law enforcement agents will be empowered to investigate, arrest, and pursue criminal charges against individuals who violate immigration laws, as detailed in a USCIS press release.
According to Conservative Daily News, this development is a direct result of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's decision to delegate specific law enforcement authorities to USCIS. It aligns with the Trump administration's comprehensive strategy to tackle illegal immigration.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow emphasized the agency's longstanding role in enforcement, stating, USCIS has always been an enforcement agency. By upholding the integrity of our immigration system, we enforce the laws of this nation.
Edlow further highlighted the significance of this moment, noting that it will enhance efforts to address immigration crimes and hold perpetrators of fraud accountable.
Historically, USCIS has managed fraud investigations through its Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, which would refer cases to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as reported by The Wall Street Journal. These officers, however, were not equipped to carry weapons or make arrests.
The new initiative will see approximately 200 agents stationed at immigration offices across the country, focusing on identifying fraud patterns, such as similar applications from immigrants of the same nationality or applicants feigning disabilities to circumvent the English exam. Additionally, the unit will prioritize revoking citizenship from those who obtained it through deceitful means.
This strategic enhancement will enable USCIS to independently conduct investigations and address the backlog of illegal immigrants exploiting the system. The Trump administration has consistently prioritized measures such as increased deportations, securing the southern border, and tightening the vetting process for immigrants seeking entry into the United States.
In August, USCIS announced plans to intensify scrutiny of foreign nationals applying for citizenship, evaluating not only the absence of misconduct but also the applicants' "positive attributes" to society. The agency has also resumed neighborhood checks for citizenship applicants and begun screening for "anti-American" sentiments.
Edlow expressed confidence in the initiative's impact, stating, Im not expecting this to have a chilling effect on applications. Im expecting this to have a chilling effect on fraudulent applications, and thats what I want.
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