The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new rule granting USCIS expanded law enforcement powers, authorizing its newly designated 1811 special agents to investigate, arrest, and prosecute violations of U.S. immigration laws. This rule implements Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s delegation of certain enforcement authorities to USCIS, enabling the agency to conduct arrests, carry firearms, and execute warrants—responsibilities traditionally held by other federal law enforcement bodies. The move aims to strengthen national security, streamline investigations, reduce fraud-related backlogs, and allow USCIS to handle immigration cases from start to finish without relying on ICE. The agency will recruit and train special agents to carry out these expanded duties.