IRS Agents Might Join Immigration Enforcement: Debate Ensues Over New Proposal

"Internal Revenue Service building sign"

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem requests IRS agents to join immigration enforcement efforts, sparking controversy and legal challenges.

Key Takeaways

DHS proposes deputizing IRS agents for immigration enforcement tasks.
The plan aims to investigate illegal financial activities linked to employment and human trafficking.
President Trump halted hiring of new IRS agents, considering moving them to border enforcement.
Sanctuary cities, led by San Francisco, are legally challenging Trump’s executive orders.
Critics argue the move could divert resources from the IRS’s primary tax enforcement duties.

DHS Seeks IRS Assistance in Immigration Enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a controversial plan to expand immigration enforcement by involving Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has requested Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to deputize IRS agents for tasks such as auditing employers hiring unauthorized migrants and investigating human trafficking.

The proposal aligns with President Trump’s efforts to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws. Noem stated in her letter to the Treasury Department, “It is DHS’s understanding that the Department of the Treasury has qualified law enforcement personnel available to assist with immigration enforcement, especially in light of recent increases to the Internal Revenue Service’s work force and budget.”

Instead of having Biden’s 87,000 IRS agents take more money from Americans, I have requested that they help taxpayers SAVE money by helping ICE round up criminal illegal aliens for deportation. pic.twitter.com/hD4v3xDNWf

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 10, 2025

Potential Impact on IRS Operations

The IRS currently has over 2,100 trained law enforcement officers among its 100,000 employees. Critics argue that involving these agents in immigration enforcement could divert resources from the agency’s primary tax enforcement duties. This move aligns with efforts by President Trump and Republican lawmakers to weaken the IRS’s enforcement capabilities.

Reducing IRS enforcement staff could potentially lead to increased tax evasion and widen the U.S. deficit. However, supporters of the plan argue that IRS agents’ expertise is needed to assist in building complex cases involving tax, immigration, and money laundering charges.

Expanded Role of IRS Agents in Immigration Enforcement

The DHS has identified nine key areas where IRS agents could contribute to immigration enforcement efforts. These include supporting immigration task forces, targeting illegal hiring practices, investigating human trafficking, seizing assets, overseeing contracts, aiding apprehensions, monitoring migrants, assisting in detentions, and helping with removals.

The deputized IRS agents could potentially be involved in a large-scale, multi-agency operation in Los Angeles. This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to utilize all available resources to secure the southern border and enforce immigration laws.

Legal Challenges and Opposition

The proposal has faced significant backlash, particularly from sanctuary cities. San Francisco is leading the charge in legally challenging Trump’s executive orders that cut federal funding to sanctuary cities and seek to prosecute non-cooperative local officials.

Opponents argue that the federal government is overstepping its authority and that sanctuary laws actually improve public safety by fostering trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Protests have occurred in Los Angeles against Trump’s immigration policies, highlighting the controversial nature of these enforcement efforts.

As the debate continues, the potential involvement of IRS agents in immigration enforcement remains a contentious issue, balancing national security concerns with questions of resource allocation and the role of federal agencies in local law enforcement matters.