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Major DOJ Shift Redirects FBI Priorities
In a landmark policy realignment, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered FBI field offices across the country to allocate roughly one-third of their resources toward immigration enforcement. As reported by NBC News, this marks a substantial deviation from the Bureau’s traditional focus on areas such as white-collar crime and public corruption.
FBI agents have now been directed to support initiatives targeting illegal immigration—an effort that falls in line with the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown agenda. This order reflects a top-down policy overhaul that prioritizes the federal government’s enforcement powers to reshape immigration patterns through deterrence and arrest.
Reduction in White-Collar Crime Investigations
As FBI agents are redirected to immigration-focused assignments, the DOJ has simultaneously narrowed the scope of federal white-collar prosecutions. According to recent internal guidance, only specific high-priority financial crimes—including health care fraud, terrorism financing, and complex transnational money laundering (particularly involving Chinese entities)—will receive full investigative support.
This strategic redirection has already produced measurable change. For example, a prominent Washington D.C. field office squad focused on investigating public corruption among members of Congress and other federal officials has been disbanded. Critics view this as a troubling signal that anti-corruption enforcement is losing priority under current federal policy.
FBI Workforce Relocation Underscores Mission Shift
This shift is not merely theoretical—it is being physically manifested through staffing changes. As of early 2025, the FBI has begun transferring approximately 1,500 employees from its Washington headquarters to other locations nationwide, including 1,000 agents reassigned to field offices and 500 transferred to a new FBI hub in Huntsville, Alabama.
This realignment, spearheaded by FBI Director Kash Patel, supports the Bureau’s new direction: prioritizing crimes linked to border enforcement, organized immigration fraud, and violent transnational crime, often overlapping with immigration enforcement operations.
What This Means for Immigrants and Their Families
For immigrants—especially undocumented individuals or those with pending immigration court proceedings—this change significantly raises the stakes. Increased FBI participation in immigration-related investigations may result in more coordinated enforcement actions with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Yet amid this intensified enforcement environment, immigrants still have legal options and protections. Working with an experienced immigration attorney is more important than ever. Legal teams can help assess risk, pursue relief, and develop defense strategies that respond to the DOJ’s heightened scrutiny.
How Spar & Bernstein Can Help
At Spar & Bernstein, we understand how sudden policy shifts can cause uncertainty and fear in immigrant communities. With over 60 years of immigration legal experience, our attorneys are prepared to help you navigate this changing landscape. Whether you’re facing removal proceedings, applying for legal status, or dealing with a family separation issue, our team offers comprehensive, compassionate legal guidance.
We provide strategic support that helps clients assert their rights, identify potential relief under immigration law, and proactively respond to enforcement risks before they escalate.