President Donald Trump has called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bring on 20,000 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers in order to carry out deportations, which would be a large expansion of ICE if it comes to fruition.
In an order signed by the president, Trump said, "No later than 60 days after the date of this proclamation, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall supplement existing enforcement and removal operations by deputizing and contracting with State and local law enforcement officers, former Federal officers, officers and personnel within other Federal agencies, and other individuals to increase the enforcement and removal operations force of the Department of Homeland Security by no less than 20,000 officers in order to conduct an intensive campaign to remove illegal aliens who have failed to depart voluntarily."
According to the New York Times, the number of ICE agents focused on deportation efforts is around 6,000 officers. The move would more than double the section of ICE that works with deportations. The president also signaled that he would like local law enforcement to be deputized in the immigration enforcement efforts.
Over the past few months, Trump has ramped up deportation and immigration security efforts, drawing a stark contrast to the record rate of illegal immigration that took place under former President Joe Biden. In particular, the Trump administration has focused on the deportation of gang members and violent criminals who have come into the US illegally.
In line with these efforts, the Trump administration has announced several other policies to get illegal immigrants in the US to self-deport, even offering $1,000 to leave and covering the cost of their travel out of the United States.
In the same order, Trump said that if those who came to the US illegally remain, consequences will ensue, including "removal, prosecution, incarceration, and fines as consistent with applicable law for immigration-related crimes; the garnishment of wages; and the confiscation of savings and personal property, including homes and vehicles."
