President Trump is gearing up to implement his strict immigration agenda through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has seen a significant increase in staffing under the Biden administration. Despite this growth, staffing levels still fall short of Trump’s ambitious policy goals, leading to challenges in meeting increased migration levels and policy demands.

The DHS, comprising Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, faces deep-rooted issues such as low morale and recruitment difficulties. While efforts have been made to boost hiring, agencies like ICE struggle to grow their workforce to meet operational needs, especially with heightened demands for border security and deportations.

The USCIS, primarily funded by application fees, also grapples with increased workloads and technological needs. The agency faces a backlog of over 1 million asylum claims along with various other applications. Congress is urged to provide adequate resources beyond just staffing to ensure the effective functioning of the immigration system.

The Trump administration is taking steps to address workforce constraints by exempting immigration-related positions from federal hiring freezes and resignations. However, further support and funding from Congress are crucial to bolster the entire immigration enforcement system. Officials stress the importance of comprehensive support to address the challenges faced by DHS employees in managing the complex and demanding immigration caseload.