Recently, federal agents nationwide were informed that the FBI would cease to investigate conflicts involving immigration agents. Such cases often provide evidence that could lead to the prosecution of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents involved in violent incidents, according to sources briefed on the decision.
If implemented, this change would significantly reduce law enforcement oversight of immigration agents. The Trump administration faces increasing criticism over fatal incidents involving federal officers. Two recent shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Texas and Maine have renewed attention on governmental tactics.
FBI managers received a written notification of this change on Thursday, according to anonymous insiders describing internal communications. The same day, some ICE agents learned of this shift from their FBI counterparts.
The guidance indicated that the bureau would halt investigations into claims of assaults against DHS agents. While these investigations aim to determine if officers were attacked, they also gather critical evidence implicating the agents.
However, a joint statement from the Justice Department and DHS denied any such change. “The relationship between DHS and DOJ in investigating assaults on federal officers remains unchanged, and the FBI will continue investigations per agency policy,” the statement affirmed. “Anyone assaulting law enforcement will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” it added.
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