FBI Redirected Thousands of Workers to Target Immigrants Under Trump's Deportation Push
The FBI reassigned thousands of personnel to immigration enforcement during the early months of the second Trump administration, increasing the number of agents from 279 to over 6,500 by September 2025. This shift, part of a broader government-wide effort to expand deportations, has raised concerns about diverted resources from criminal investigations. Experts and immigration advocates warn the move undermines the FBI’s core mission and national security priorities.
- ▪Before Trump took office in January 2025, 279 FBI personnel were working on immigration-related matters, a number that grew to over 6,500 by September 2025.
- ▪A total of 9,161 FBI employees were assigned to immigration tasks between January and September 2025, out of the bureau's 38,000-person workforce.
- ▪According to the Cato Institute, one in five FBI special agents—2,840 out of 13,700—were redirected to support ICE enforcement and removal operations.
- ▪The redirection of FBI resources occurred under Director Kash Patel, who has aligned closely with Trump administration directives.
- ▪Critics argue that shifting FBI staff to civil immigration enforcement undermines criminal investigations and misuses congressionally allocated funds.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
FBI Redirected Thousands of Workers to Target Immigrants Under Trump’s Deportation Push Over 9,000 FBI personnel were assigned to immigration after Trump returned to office — a massive diversion that experts warn could put national security at risk. Akela Lacy May 1 2026, 5:00 a.m. Share Copy link Share on Facebook Share on Bluesky Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp An FBI officer waits in a hallway outside of a courtroom at New York-Federal Plaza Immigration Court inside the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building in New York City on June 11, 2025.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Intercept.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Intercept
