Thanks for joining us. Our top story from the Department of Homeland Security this week is a sweeping expansion of immigration enforcement powers under a final rule that now allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, to conduct criminal investigations, make arrests, and even carry firearms—roles traditionally reserved for other agencies like ICE. This marks the biggest shift in USCIS’s responsibilities in decades, and, according to the department, is part of an “ongoing effort to strengthen immigration law enforcement and deter fraud.”
USCIS Director Ur Mendoza Jaddou described the move as “a pivotal step in ensuring the integrity of our immigration system and protecting national security.” In practical terms, this means new teams of special agents are coming to USCIS. They’ll be empowered not just to investigate civil violations, but also arrest individuals suspected of felonies or facilitating unlawful entry into the U.S.
For American citizens and businesses, this has immediate impacts. Employers sponsoring new hires or foreign talent on work visas, such as the H-1B, now face heightened compliance scrutiny. This follows on the heels of Project Firewall from the Department of Labor, which cracks down on potential wage violations and fraud. Universities, tech firms, and multinational companies alike will need to review their practices, since failure to comply could bring surprise audits or even criminal prosecutions.
Local governments and sanctuary jurisdictions are also in the spotlight. A coordinated federal strategy announced this fall requires DHS and the Department of Justice to publish a list of cities and states that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Those named face possible loss of federal funding and even legal action unless they align their policies.
From a regulatory perspective, the week has seen more headlines: On November 3rd, DHS proposed requiring biometrics—think fingerprints and photos—from nearly anyone involved in immigration benefits, expanding both the data collected and who must participate. And starting October 30, automatic extensions for work authorization are gone; renewal applicants will now have to plan ahead to prevent employment gaps, a development that impacts both immigrants and their employers.
Internationally, these changes signal a tougher U.S. stance at the border, with DHS collaborating with partners in Mexico and Central America to address unlawful crossings. The Secretary of Homeland Security said this is “part of our broader effort to ensure border security and restore lawful immigration processes.”
Looking ahead, key deadlines include the implementation of USCIS’s new law enforcement authorities, with October 6 as the first major milestone. DHS is also actively seeking public comment on biometric rule proposals—the portal for feedback is open until December.
For listeners wanting to weigh in or learn more, DHS invites public input via regulations.gov. You can also follow agency updates on their official website or social channels.
That wraps up this week’s DHS news roundup. Thank you for tuning in—be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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