State and local law enforcement officials are set to join forces with federal immigration agents in a nationwide effort to step up enforcement and deportation operations. This collaboration is being orchestrated under the guidance of Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff to former President Donald Trump.
Announced recently, this plan includes deputizing state and local officers, with the clear message that any officials who defy federal directives will face legal consequences. Miller emphasized, *”President Trump is unlocking a wide array of federal statutory authorities to secure the homeland.”* This strategy involves utilizing the power of the Secretary of Homeland Security to enlist both federal and local law enforcement, alongside the National Guard, in immigration enforcement activities.
Stephen Miller highlighted that the Secretary of Homeland Security has already activated the deputation authority with federal agents, supporting a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. These operations are being coordinated by White House border czar Tom Homan.
Local and state law enforcement personnel are expected to soon join these efforts, further enhancing the capabilities of federal immigration agents. Miller also underscored the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) commitment to vigorously prosecuting immigration-related crimes, stating that child traffickers will face lengthy prison sentences.
In the context of these initiatives, Miller pointed out that the DOJ will not hesitate to prosecute state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration actions. *”Local officials who violate our laws are also subject to enforcement,”* Miller asserted, showing the administration’s determination to uphold federal immigration laws. The deployment of additional resources and personnel highlights the administration’s commitment to controlling illegal immigration.
Meanwhile, in a significant move to bolster border security, the United States Marines have been deployed to the southern border. This 1,500-strong force is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The troops will assist in various activities, including detecting and monitoring border crossings, and constructing physical barriers to prevent illegal entry. Units from Camp Pendleton, California, form part of this deployment, including members from the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and the 7th Engineer Support Battalion.
Joining the Marines are Army personnel from different states, such as Texas, Kentucky, and New York, among others. This military presence aims to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in tackling security challenges along the border. The deployment is a crucial element of President Trump’s broader strategy to curb illegal immigration, especially following the previous administration’s policies, which many believe led to a surge in illegal crossings.
The Trump administration has also taken steps to close down key entry points, such as the one at El Paso, Texas. Additionally, the CBP One app, which was reportedly used by many to enter the U.S. illegally, has been disabled. These measures reflect the administration’s proactive approach to securing the border and maintaining the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.
In another decisive move, the U.S. State Department has announced a substantial 90-day freeze on new foreign aid, with limited exceptions. This action, spearheaded by newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is one of the administration’s early measures to reassess foreign aid distribution. The freeze affects most countries, sparing only emergency food aid and military assistance to Egypt and Israel. The U.S., which has the largest foreign aid budget globally, is redirecting its focus under this new policy.
Secretary Rubio has communicated this decision to U.S. embassies worldwide, aligning with an executive order signed by President Trump. This order halts certain foreign aid programs, a move that has drawn criticism from some aid groups. Abby Maxman of Oxfam America labeled the administration’s actions as *”threatening”* to lives, reflecting the contentious nature of these changes.
Notably, the executive order does not address aid to Ukraine, despite the previous administration’s significant financial support for the ongoing conflict there. President Trump has expressed a commitment to resolving this conflict swiftly, with tentative plans for discussions between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, a substantial amount of congressionally approved funding for Ukraine remains available.
In a momentous development, President Trump has initiated the declassification of documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. This decision, marked by the signing of an executive order, has been welcomed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy Jr. expressed gratitude to Trump, citing the move as a step towards greater transparency and trust in government.
Kennedy Jr. praised the declassification as a reversal of what he described as a *”60-year strategy of lies and secrecy,”* a criticism aimed at intelligence officials who he believes have long concealed crucial information. This decision aligns with the values of transparency and accountability that Kennedy Jr. associates with his late uncle, President John F. Kennedy, reinforcing the Trump administration’s stance on openness in government.
These strategic moves by the Trump administration underscore its commitment to enforcing immigration laws, securing the nation’s borders, and reassessing foreign aid policies. By involving state and local law enforcement in federal operations and deploying military resources to the border, the administration is taking decisive steps to strengthen national security. The temporary halt on foreign aid, along with the declassification of historic assassination files, further highlights the administration’s focus on transparency and prioritizing national interests.
