The Trump administration systematically expanded its immigration enforcement agenda beyond the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), drawing in agencies across the federal government to track, surveil, and restrict services for immigrants. This effort, driven by policy directives and aggressive data-sharing initiatives, has reshaped the functions of agencies previously uninvolved in immigration enforcement.
Funding and Expansion of Enforcement
The administration secured unprecedented funding for DHS through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allocating nearly $80 billion, with $45 billion going to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This influx enabled ICE to double its workforce, adding 12,000 agents. However, the crackdown extended far beyond DHS.
Data-Sharing and Surveillance
DHS built a database to track immigrants, pulling in sensitive information from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and state-level voting data. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) updated federal grant guidance, threatening funding cuts to states or nonprofits if money was used to “facilitate” illegal immigration. The OMB’s revisions included vague language that could penalize support for even the US-citizen children of undocumented immigrants, raising concerns about arbitrary enforcement.
Housing and Social Services
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) targeted “mixed status households,” requiring re-verification of immigration status for all residents in public housing. HUD instructed local authorities to report undocumented residents to DHS, cross-referencing data with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. The agency proposed a rule to bar mixed-status families from receiving federal benefits, citing “fraud” in assisted households without clear evidence.
Social Security and Benefits Restrictions
The SSA paused automatic social security number issuance for legal immigrants, requiring in-person verification. Thousands of immigrants were deactivated in the agency’s “death master file,” cutting off access to benefits and employment. In 2025, expedited citizenship processing was rescinded for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants, disproportionately affecting refugees and human trafficking victims. Employees at some SSA offices were told to share appointment details with ICE.
Labor, Health, and Agriculture
The Department of Labor (DOL) investigated businesses employing immigrants, focusing on wage violations and H1-B visa programs. Health and Human Services (HHS) shared Medicare and Medicaid data with DHS and ICE, raising concerns among doctors about deterring immigrant patients from seeking care. The USDA restricted SNAP benefits for refugees, special immigrants, and trafficking survivors.
Physical Expansion of Enforcement
The General Services Administration (GSA) helped ICE expand its facilities near schools, places of worship, and healthcare facilities. The IRS shared taxpayer information with DHS under a controversial memorandum of understanding, despite legal challenges. The Small Business Administration (SBA) effectively barred non-citizens from accessing SBA loans.
Conclusion: The Trump administration’s immigration policies transformed into a sweeping, whole-of-government operation. By leveraging existing agencies and exploiting vague regulations, the administration blurred the lines between immigration enforcement and routine federal functions, raising concerns about civil liberties, due process, and the integrity of government services.
