Homeland Security Reassigns ‘Hundreds’ Of CISA Cyber Staffers To Support Trump’s Deportation Crackdown
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reassigned hundreds of CISA cyber staffers to support Trump’s deportation crackdown, sparking widespread concern among cybersecurity experts. The move reportedly affects employees across key cybersecurity divisions as DHS shifts resources toward immigration enforcement.
Image Credits:Christopher Dilts / Bloomberg / Getty Images
CISA Cyber Experts Redirected To Immigration Agencies
According to Bloomberg and Nextgov, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has transferred employees from crucial cybersecurity units to other DHS branches, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Many of these reassigned staffers were from CISA’s Capacity Building Unit, which helps federal agencies strengthen defenses against cyberattacks, and its Stakeholder Engagement Division, responsible for coordinating cybersecurity efforts with international and private-sector partners.
Federal Protective Service Joins Deportation Push
Reports indicate that some CISA personnel have been moved to the Federal Protective Service, a DHS law enforcement arm that works with ICE and CBP on deportation operations. The reassignment underscores the Trump administration’s focus on bolstering immigration enforcement as a top national priority.
Trump’s $150 Billion Immigration Enforcement Plan
Since returning to office, President Trump has made immigration control a central pillar of his agenda. In July, lawmakers approved $150 billion in funding to expand deportation programs led by ICE.
Much of the budget reportedly supports the use of advanced surveillance technologies, including spyware, data brokers, and location tracking tools, to monitor millions of undocumented individuals across the country.
Cybersecurity Risks Rise Amid Staff Reallocations
The timing of the reassignments has drawn criticism, as the United States continues to face a surge in cyber threats targeting both government and private industry.
In recent months:
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An English-speaking cybercrime group exploited Salesforce databases to steal sensitive customer data.
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Russian hackers infiltrated the U.S. federal courts system, accessing sealed documents.
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A SharePoint software flaw exposed several federal departments, including one responsible for safeguarding America’s nuclear weapons systems.
Cyber experts warn that diverting hundreds of skilled cybersecurity professionals from CISA could weaken the nation’s cyber defenses at a time when digital threats are escalating.
Homeland Security Responds To Criticism
In a statement to TechCrunch, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS, defended the reassignments, saying the agency “routinely aligns personnel to meet mission priorities while ensuring continuity across all core mission areas.”
She called any suggestion that DHS is unprepared to handle cybersecurity threats “ludicrous.” However, McLaughlin declined to confirm whether the reassigned CISA roles will be backfilled or left vacant — leaving open questions about the long-term impact on U.S. cyber readiness.
Balancing Immigration And Cybersecurity
The decision to shift hundreds of CISA cyber staffers to support Trump’s deportation crackdown reflects the administration’s evolving priorities — and raises serious debate about the trade-offs between border security and cyber resilience.
As DHS doubles down on immigration enforcement, the cybersecurity community warns that America’s critical digital infrastructure could face heightened exposure in an already volatile threat landscape.
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