On September 4, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will formally expand its law enforcement functions. Under a final rule published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USCIS will begin recruiting and training special agents classified as 1811 officers. These officers will now be empowered to investigate, arrest, and present immigration-related cases for prosecution.
What Powers Will USCIS Special Agents Have?
For the first time, USCIS officers will hold law enforcement authorities typically associated with federal agencies such as ICE and the FBI. These include:
- Making arrests and detentions.
- Executing search and arrest warrants.
- Carrying firearms.
- Investigating immigration-related civil and criminal violations.
- Referring cases for prosecution in federal court.
Why the Change?
According to DHS, this shift is designed to:
- Strengthen the agency’s fraud detection and national security mission.
- Allow USCIS to handle immigration investigations “from start to finish” without always referring cases to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
- Free up ICE to focus on transnational crime, enforcement, and removals.
- Improve efficiency in addressing immigration fraud, backlogs, and public safety risks.
USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow called the rule a “historic moment” that will enable the agency to better enforce immigration laws and hold fraud perpetrators accountable.
What This Means for Applicants and Employers
The expansion signals a tougher stance on fraud and compliance in the immigration system. Applicants and petitioners should expect:
- Increased scrutiny of filings, especially where fraud or misrepresentation is suspected.
- More site visits and investigations tied directly to USCIS adjudications.
- Faster movement on suspected fraud cases, since USCIS can now pursue enforcement without waiting for ICE.
For employers who sponsor foreign workers, this means ensuring all immigration paperwork — from petitions to I-9 compliance — is fully accurate and consistent.
Looking Ahead
USCIS plans to recruit and train a new class of special agents to exercise these powers. The rule will take effect 30 days from publication in the Federal Register.
This development is part of a broader effort by DHS to integrate enforcement across agencies and expand USCIS’s role beyond adjudications to active law enforcement.
Final Thoughts
The expansion of USCIS’s law enforcement authority marks a significant change in how the agency operates. It reinforces the importance of compliance, transparency, and accuracy in all immigration filings.
At NPZ Law Group, we advise individuals and employers on how to navigate these changes, minimize risk, and respond effectively if investigations arise.
For guidance on immigration compliance and fraud prevention, call us at 201-670-0006 or visit www.visaserve.com
Contact Information
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.