Amid President Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement, internal documents reveal a notable decline in drug arrests and gun seizures by Homeland Security. According to the report, narcotics arrests fell by approximately 11%, while seizures of firearms plummeted by 73%, from nearly 41,400 to less than 11,200 in the past fiscal year, as resources are diverted to immigration enforcement. The number of immigration-related arrests surged dramatically, rising from about 5,000 to over 94,500, highlighting a stark shift in the agency’s priorities.
While Homeland Security boasts an increase in overall arrests, including human trafficking and smuggling cases, the data suggests significant declines in other areas of crime-fighting. For instance, investigations into child exploitation dropped by 28%, with nearly 300 fewer victims identified compared to the previous year. This change in focus has raised concerns among former officials, who argue that the redirection of resources compromises the agency’s ability to combat more serious transnational criminal threats.
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