US Citizenship Agency Adds Armed Agents Authorized to Arrest

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), responsible for processing green cards, citizenship applications, and other immigration benefits, will now hire armed special agents authorized to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals violating immigration laws. This significant policy shift, enacted under President Donald Trump's administration and authorized by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, grants USCIS law enforcement powers previously limited to agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow emphasized that the move aims to combat immigration fraud more effectively, clear backlogs of fraudulent cases, and hold perpetrators accountable without discouraging legitimate applicants. The agency plans to train several hundred special agents who will carry firearms, execute warrants, and work alongside federal partners including the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Critics worry this increased enforcement presence at citizenship interview sites could deter eligible immigrants from applying for benefits. However, USCIS maintains the change will act as a force multiplier to uphold the integrity of the immigration system and prioritize denaturalization of citizens who obtained status through fraud.