WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President Donald Trump has requested the Department of Homeland Security send Internal Revenue Service agents to assist with immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday requesting criminal investigators to help tackle human trafficking networks and find businesses hiring workers in the U.S. illegally, as well as other immigration-related tasks.
The request is part of Trump’s efforts to ramp up mass deportations.
Despite “border czar” Tom Homan and Noem receiving his vote of confidence over the weekend, sources tell NewsNation that Trump is unhappy with the early results of his immigration crackdown and wants to see more enforcement.
Trump angry over ICE arrest numbers: Source
On Sunday, Trump was asked about immigration arrests and denied being bothered by the way immigration enforcement efforts have gone so far.
“They’re doing an amazing job, I think. Tom Homan is doing an amazing job. Kristi Noem is doing an amazing job. But it’s not easy finding murderers who know they’re being looked for,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while he flew from Florida to New Orleans to attend the Super Bowl.
However, a source with knowledge of the matter tells NewsNation that the president told aides “the numbers are too f—— low.”
ICE averaged 787 arrests per day between Jan. 23-31, and about 11,000 arrests have been made in the last 18 days. The White House has reported 461 undocumented migrants were released from custody due to health concerns, insufficient detention space and other factors.
IRS asked to help with immigration crackdown
Noem suggested IRS agents assist with investigating human trafficking networks and finding businesses hiring illegal migrants.
“It is DHS.’s understanding that the Department of the Treasury has qualified law enforcement personnel available to assist with immigration enforcement, especially in light of recent increases to the Internal Revenue Service’s work force and budget,” she said in the letter to Bessent.
The push by DHS could pull resources away from tax enforcement efforts. Of roughly 100,000 employees, the IRS has approximately 2,100 criminal investigators who look into drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption, according to the New York Times.
Noem’s proposal comes as Republicans grow increasingly frustrated with the IRS, with one lawmaker filing a proposal to abolish the agency and rewrite the current tax code.
