Estimates from the Pew Research Center reveal that approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants currently reside in the United States. According to a law enforcement source familiar with recent operations, federal agencies have been instructed to prioritize the deportation of a broad range of criminal suspects who may be considered “out of status.” This term refers to individuals who may have initially entered the U.S. legally but have since violated the conditions of their visa or other immigration regulations.
In cases where suspects are being investigated by prominent agencies like the FBI, ATF, or DEA and are found to be residing unlawfully in the country, the directive is to consider immediate deportation if there is no imminent prospect of indictments for non-immigration-related criminal offenses. This shift in approach is significant because federal investigations into such crimes often require weeks or even months to gather evidence and proceed with prosecutions. Nevertheless, the current guidance from the Trump administration instructs agencies to prioritize the removal of undocumented suspects in the absence of impending criminal charges.
Prior to assuming office, transition officials from the Trump administration reportedly inquired with law enforcement agencies regarding the number of ongoing investigations involving non-U.S. citizens. This indicates a proactive stance towards addressing immigration-related concerns within the purview of federal law enforcement.
Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Michelle Krupa, Lauren Mascarenhas, Gustavo Valdés, and Zoe Sottile. For access to more CNN news updates and newsletters, users are encouraged to create an account on CNN.com.
