Trump Directs 20,000-Officer Immigration Enforcement Expansion, Involves State and Local Police Amid Funding Uncertainty

President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to expand its deportation force by 20,000 officers under 'Project Homecoming,' aiming to expedite the removal of undocumented immigrants. The plan involves deputizing state and local law enforcement and contracting former federal agents. Despite the initiative's scale, funding details remain unclear, raising logistical and legal concerns. The administration is promoting voluntary departure with financial incentives, but faces criticism from civil rights groups and questions about the feasibility of the expansion without congressional approval.

A New Phase in Immigration Enforcement

In a presidential proclamation issued on Friday, Trump called for a “full-scale, aggressive deportation surge” targeting undocumented immigrants who do not voluntarily leave the country. The order is a central component of Project Homecoming, a new initiative that offers financial incentives for voluntary departure while threatening severe penalties for those who remain.

The proclamation directs DHS to begin “deputizing and contracting with state and local law enforcement officers, former federal officers, officers and personnel within other federal agencies, and other individuals.” This approach revives and expands the controversial 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities.

Currently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employs approximately 6,000 officers focused on deportation. The proposed addition of 20,000 officers would more than quadruple the current force, representing one of the largest expansions of immigration enforcement in U.S. history.

State and Local Involvement

The Trump administration has already begun signing agreements with local law enforcement agencies to support ICE operations. In Florida, for example, local officers recently assisted in an operation that led to the arrest of over 1,100 migrants. In Wyoming, state GOP leaders and sheriffs are pursuing Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) to detain undocumented immigrants in local jails, with some officials citing potential economic benefits.

The administration is also reinstating the Task Force Model and Warrant Service Officer programs, which allow local officers to perform limited immigration enforcement duties under ICE supervision. These programs have drawn criticism from civil rights groups, including the ACLU, which warns that such agreements can erode community trust and lead to racial profiling.

Project Homecoming: Incentives and Penalties

Project Homecoming is designed to encourage “self-deportation” by offering undocumented immigrants a $1,000 stipend and free travel to their home countries. The program also includes a concierge service at airports and a rebranded CBP Home app to streamline the departure process. Financial support is disbursed only after departure is confirmed.

The administration has launched a nationwide communications campaign to inform migrants of the program and the consequences of non-compliance. Those who choose not to leave voluntarily face a range of penalties, including arrest, deportation, wage garnishment, fines, and the confiscation of personal property such as homes and vehicles.

According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the program offers a “dignified way” for undocumented immigrants to exit the country. However, advocacy groups have criticized the initiative as coercive and warned that migrants in removal proceedings could face serious legal consequences if they participate.

Unclear Funding and Logistical Challenges

Despite the ambitious scope of the plan, the administration has not provided details on how it will fund the addition of 20,000 officers. The cost of recruiting, training, and deploying such a large force—along with the financial incentives for voluntary departure—could run into billions of dollars.

The lack of a clear funding mechanism raises questions about the feasibility of the plan. Congress has not yet passed any supplemental appropriations to support the expansion, and it remains uncertain whether existing DHS funds can be reallocated for this purpose without legislative approval.

Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s immigration policy, has suggested that the administration may seek to bypass certain legal constraints, including due process protections for detained migrants. Miller has also hinted at the possibility of suspending habeas corpus, a move that would likely face significant legal challenges.

Enforcement in Practice

Since taking office, President Trump has prioritized immigration enforcement, but deportation numbers have so far lagged behind those under President Joe Biden. The administration has conducted high-profile raids in major cities and expanded arrest authority to locations such as courthouses. However, these efforts have not yet achieved the scale necessary to meet Trump’s stated goal of mass deportations.

The administration’s pivot to voluntary departure reflects both a strategic shift and a recognition of logistical limitations. By offering financial incentives, officials hope to reduce the burden on detention facilities and enforcement personnel while still shrinking the undocumented population.

Still, the success of Project Homecoming will depend on migrant participation, local law enforcement cooperation, and the resolution of funding and legal hurdles. As the administration moves forward, it faces mounting scrutiny from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and legal experts.

Trump Directs 20,000-Officer Immigration Enforcement Expansion, Involves State and Local Police Amid Funding Uncertainty

Key Updates

President Trump Unveils 'Project Homecoming': Self-Deportation Program with Incentives for Migrants