USCIS Expands Law Enforcement Authority with New Special Agents

Key Point 

• USCIS will establish special agents with federal law enforcement authority to investigate immigration benefit fraud and enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act 

USCIS Launches Enforcement Authority 

On September 4, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a major operational shift: the agency will now recruit and deploy special agents with full federal law enforcement powers under a newly published final rule. 

These USCIS 1811-classified officers, commonly referred to as special agents, will be authorized to investigate, arrest, and present for prosecution individuals who violate U.S. immigration laws. Their expanded authority includes executing search and arrest warrants, carrying firearms and initiating expedited removal proceedings. 

What’s Changing 

• Direct Enforcement Role: USCIS will no longer rely solely on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for certain investigations. Instead, it will handle cases from start to finish. 
• New Special Agent Workforce: USCIS plans to recruit and train officers to carry out these responsibilities, enhancing its fraud detection and national security capabilities. 
• Mission Alignment: The rule supports USCIS’s broader goals of safeguarding the integrity of immigration adjudications and strengthening public safety. 

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