Border Focus Pulls DOJ Resources From Terrorism, White Collar
Bloomberg Law reports that the Justice Department and federal law enforcement agencies, under President Donald Trump, are reallocating resources from traditional priorities like terrorism and white-collar crime to focus more on immigration enforcement. Trump-appointed officials have redirected prosecutors to border districts and instructed the Criminal Division’s Foreign Corrupt Practice Act unit to prioritize cases related to cartels and transnational criminal organizations. Additionally, FBI joint terrorism task forces have been asked to assist with immigration initiatives, and U.S. marshals and DEA agents have been empowered to make immigration arrests. These changes, introduced early in the administration, suggest a significant escalation in using Justice Department authority to support Trump's immigration crackdown.
Sheppard Mullin Governmental partner Jon Meyer, who served as the Homeland Security Department’s general counsel during the Biden administration, observed, “It’s a decision to prioritize one set of prosecutions over others.”
This shift has raised concerns among congressional Democrats and others who fear that an increased focus on immigration could undermine the department's other missions, potentially leading to more plea deals and higher crime rates. House Democrats on the Judiciary Committee expressed concerns on February 4, warning that diverting significant law enforcement and counterterrorism resources to immigration could endanger American lives.
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