U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services introduces law enforcement personnel for the first time

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an expansion of its law enforcement capabilities, marking a significant shift in immigration policy. This move comes as a result of a new rule published on the federal register, granting the authority to the fraud detection agency at USCIS.

Joseph B. Edlow, the Director of USCIS since July 2025, has led this expansion. Edlow, who holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, Government, and History from Brandeis University and a juris doctor from Case Western Reserve University, has been instrumental in steering the agency towards a stricter, more enforcement-focused immigration policy.

Under Edlow's leadership, USCIS plans to end OPT programs, tighten naturalization tests, and increase H-1B visa scrutiny. The addition of law enforcement agents to the USCIS workforce is a key part of this strategy, aimed at holding those who perpetrate immigration fraud accountable.

The new agents will be tasked under the fraud detection agency at USCIS and will have powers standard for federal law enforcement, including making arrests, carrying firearms, and executing search and arrest warrants. Secretary Kristi Noem has delegated lawful authorities for USCIS to expand its law enforcement powers, further enabling the agency to better address immigration crimes.

This expansion of USCIS's law enforcement capabilities serves as a force multiplier for DHS and federal law enforcement partners, including the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The new rule will not only strengthen immigration enforcement but also bolster efforts in combating national security threats.

It is important to note that traditionally, USCIS has not been a law enforcement agency. However, with the addition of law enforcement agents and the expansion of its law enforcement powers, USCIS is now poised to play a more active role in enforcing immigration laws more effectively.

In other news, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering a rule that may restrict transgender individuals from owning guns, according to sources. This development is not directly related to the USCIS expansion of law enforcement powers but is an important standalone fact from the current paragraph.

The specific details about the ruling for Alligator Alcatraz operations, as well as the rule's impact on White House grounds strikes on an alleged drug boat, are not provided in the text. These matters remain separate from the USCIS expansion of law enforcement powers and will be addressed in subsequent reports.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services introduces law enforcement personnel for the first time