Kristi Noem’s Unconventional Plan for IRS Agents Sparks Debate

"Internal Revenue Service building sign"

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s proposal to deputize IRS agents for immigration enforcement sparks fierce debate and legal challenges.

Quick Takes

DHS Secretary Noem requests Treasury to deputize IRS agents for immigration enforcement
Proposal aims to use IRS resources for auditing employers and investigating human trafficking
Move aligns with Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen border security
Sanctuary cities, led by San Francisco, are legally challenging the executive orders
Critics argue the proposal could divert resources from IRS’s primary tax enforcement duties

DHS Seeks IRS Assistance in Immigration Enforcement

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has made a bold move in the ongoing battle against illegal immigration. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Noem has requested the deputization of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents to assist in immigration enforcement efforts. This unprecedented proposal aims to leverage the IRS’s resources and expertise in financial investigations to address illegal employment practices and combat human trafficking.

The request comes as part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws. Noem’s proposal outlines nine key areas where IRS agents could potentially contribute, including supporting immigration task forces, targeting illegal hiring practices, investigating human trafficking operations, and assisting in asset seizures.

Instead of having Biden’s 87,000 IRS agents take more money from Americans, I have requested that they help taxpayers SAVE money by helping ICE round up criminal illegal aliens for deportation. pic.twitter.com/hD4v3xDNWf

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 10, 2025

Potential Impact on IRS Operations

The IRS currently employs over 2,100 trained law enforcement officers among its 100,000 staff members. These agents possess valuable skills in financial investigations that could prove useful in building complex cases involving tax evasion, immigration violations, and money laundering. However, critics argue that diverting these resources from the IRS’s primary tax enforcement duties could have unintended consequences.

President Trump has already taken steps to halt the hiring of new IRS agents and has proposed moving existing staff to border enforcement roles. This aligns with Republican lawmakers’ efforts to reduce the IRS’s enforcement capabilities. However, some experts warn that reducing the agency’s staff could lead to increased tax evasion and potentially widen the U.S. deficit.

Legal Challenges and Opposition

The proposal has met fierce resistance, particularly from sanctuary cities. San Francisco is leading the charge in legally challenging President Trump’s executive orders that aim to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities and prosecute non-cooperative local officials. These cities argue that the federal government is overstepping its authority and that sanctuary laws actually improve public safety.

The controversy surrounding this proposal highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration policies and local governance. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the Treasury Department will approve the deputization of IRS agents and how this move might impact both immigration enforcement and tax collection efforts in the United States.