At a Glance
- Far-right militias offered to help Trump with mass deportations, but the administration used federal agencies instead.
- The Trump administration redirected ICE, CBP, FBI, DEA, and state/local police to focus on immigration enforcement.
- A $170 billion “One Big Beautiful Bill” funded immigration enforcement, giving ICE the highest federal budget ever.
- Why it matters: The shift shows how the administration has reshaped law-enforcement priorities, amplifying pressure on immigrant communities nationwide.
After winning a second term, Trump promised the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. While far-right groups were ready to assist, the administration instead expanded federal agencies to carry out the plan, reshaping enforcement and funding.
Militia Offers vs. Federal Mobilization
After the 2024 election, militia leaders like Richard Mack, Tim Foley, and William Teer reached out to Trump, offering to help. Tom Homan met a Proud Boys affiliate. Despite these offers, no militia deployment occurred. Instead, the administration realigned federal resources, redirecting ICE, CBP, FBI, DEA, and local police to focus on immigration.
- ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- CBP – Customs and Border Protection
- FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
- DEA – Drug Enforcement Administration
- State/local police – local law-enforcement agencies
Funding and Policy Shift
In July, Trump approved a $170 billion budget for immigration and border enforcement over four years, $75 billion for ICE. This funding made ICE the highest-funded federal law-enforcement agency. The News Of Austin noted this shift brought the administration’s goals closer to reality.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total immigration & border enforcement | $170 billion |
| ICE portion | $75 billion |
Escalation of Enforcement Tactics
The administration replaced ICE personnel with CBP agents in leadership roles, expanding CBP’s reach into cities. CBP’s history of alleged abuses raised concerns. A DHS official explained the rationale: CBP does what they’re told; ICE isn’t meeting the job. Border Patrol agent Greg Bovino led high-profile actions, including a horseback raid in Los Angeles and a tear-gas incident in Chicago.
Naureen Shah, director of government affairs at News Of Austin, said:
> “I think we’re just at the beginning,”
Naureen Shah added:
> “They’re not only cannibalizing the federal government, they are building out their tentacles in cities and states across the country through a radical version of the 287g program.”
Naureen Shah continued:
> “They’re trying to treat it as miniature ICEs all across our communities.”
Naureen Shah concluded:
> “The thing that could stop this is if Stephen Miller is no longer at the helm.”
Key Takeaways
- Far-right militias were ready to help but were sidelined.
- Federal agencies were re-tasked and massively funded for mass deportations.
- CBP’s expansion into cities raises significant civil-rights concerns.
The administration’s reshaping of federal enforcement and massive funding signals a relentless push toward mass deportations, with far-right militias sidelined and federal agencies now carrying the burden.
