By SDCN Staff
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has been granted expanded law enforcement authorities under a final rule published Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security.
The rule authorizes Citizenship and Immigration Services officers with the 1811 criminal investigator classification, also known as special agents, to conduct investigations, make arrests, carry firearms, and execute search and arrest warrants. These powers are similar to those held by other federal law enforcement agencies.
Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow said the expansion would strengthen the agency’s ability to address immigration-related crimes and enhance coordination with other Department of Homeland Security components and federal partners.
Under the delegation of authority, Citizenship and Immigration Services may now investigate civil and criminal violations of immigration law and handle certain cases independently, rather than referring them to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Supporters of the change say this will allow ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations divisions to concentrate on cases involving transnational crime and deportations.
The agency plans to recruit and train special agents to carry out the new responsibilities.
