Trump Administration Implements Controversial Shift at the FBI

The administration under President Donald Trump has initiated a significant shift in the operational priorities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This new directive reallocates hundreds of agents to immigration enforcement duties nationwide, at the expense of counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and white-collar crime investigations. Confirmed through internal memos and initially reported by Reuters, later followed by NBC, this change represents one of the most substantial structural adjustments within the agency in decades.

From Counterterrorism to Immigration Control

This directive impacts all FBI field offices, with up to 45% of the full-time operational staff now dedicated to immigration-related tasks. The reorganization is particularly pronounced in the nation’s 25 largest offices. In Atlanta, for instance, approximately half of the personnel, totaling 67 agents, will be assigned to immigration duties around the clock. In Los Angeles, nine specialized squads will be formed for "control and deportation operations," targeting even those who have overstayed their visas despite lacking criminal records. Boston’s office received orders to allocate an additional 33 agents to these efforts.

These measures have sparked concern within the agency itself. “This is not our usual work; these are poor ideas,” a federal official anonymously told NBC News. “If this were a Democratic administration, I’d still say it’s wrong; we shouldn’t be doing this,” the official added. FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson defended the decision, stating the FBI is committed to supporting law enforcement partners in immigration law application and will continue to do so.

2,000 Agents for Immigration Enforcement

According to memos acquired by NBC News, the goal is to have 2,000 FBI agents nationwide focused solely on immigration law enforcement. “As you know, we have been actively involved in immigration control initiatives in coordination with our partners at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),” stated an internal communication. “Starting this week, we need to see an uptick in your immigration operations' pace,” the document further instructs.

Budget Cuts and Forced Retirements

This shift comes amidst budget reductions. The Trump Administration has proposed a 5% cut to the FBI's budget, and this week, Director Kash Patel approved 667 requests for early retirement from Bureau personnel. Internally, the FBI seems to be grappling with tension and skepticism towards these new directives. A federal law enforcement officer noted that agents feel “uncomfortable being part of immigration operations,” citing inadequate planning by ICE compared to the FBI’s standard procedures.

Impact on Immigrant Communities

Immigrant advocacy groups have also voiced their concerns. “Instead of targeting actual terrorists, we’re going after those who tend our gardens, care for our children, process food, and harvest vegetables,” stated Juan José Gutiérrez, spokesperson for the Coalition for Full Immigrant Rights. Fear within migrant communities is rising, with worries that many may avoid reporting crimes due to fears of retaliation or deportation.

Reduced Focus on White-Collar Crime

Simultaneously, the Justice Department has instructed prosecutors to reduce efforts against certain corporate crimes. A memo from Matthew Galeotti, head of the Criminal Division, advises prosecutors to apply "appropriate balance" in these cases. “Excessive, unchecked enforcement of corporate and white-collar laws burdens American businesses and harms national interests,” Galeotti wrote. The guidance suggests not all corporate offenses warrant federal action and aims to minimize collateral impact and investigation duration.

Current priorities now target customs fraud, sanctions evasion, money laundering—especially involving Chinese networks—and terrorism financing. Previous agreements with sanctioned companies are under review, with some potentially being terminated early. “Federal investigations can significantly disrupt daily business operations and cause reputational damage that can be unjustified,” Galeotti warned.

Political Context and Reactions

This reallocation of resources aligns with frustration expressed by Trump and his advisors over perceived delays in deportations. Data released during the Biden administration indicated that “hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants with criminal records were residing in the United States, including over 10,000 with homicide convictions,” as reported by NBC News.

Critics argue that this policy shift could undermine efforts against more severe threats like terrorism or international espionage. Meanwhile, activists fear that the intensified focus on immigration might erode public trust in security institutions and lead to serious social consequences.

The re-prioritization of the FBI under the Trump administration marks a profound shift in U.S. security policy. By placing irregular immigration at the forefront, displacing issues like counterterrorism and financial crimes, the role of the country's primary investigative agency is being redefined. Although the administration defends this measure, both within and outside the FBI, there are critical voices warning of the potential institutional, political, and human costs this new direction may entail for the nation.