USA. Trump's mass deportations led to a big drop in fentanyl investigations, report finds. Here's what to know
USA. Trump's mass deportations led to a big drop in fentanyl investigations, report finds. Here's what to know
The Department of Homeland Security's focus on mass deportations resulted in a dramatic drop in investigations into illicit fentanyl, according to a federal watchdog report.
Under President Donald Trump's administration, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement that focuses on cases related to drug trafficking, human smuggling and transnational gang activity, spent significantly more time on immigration enforcement than on investigating the potent and deadly opioid.
This shift in priorities led to a 31% drop in the number of hours agents spent on fentanyl-related criminal investigations, according to a DHS Office of the Inspector General report, published on Aug. 20. In contrast, the number of immigration enforcement hours rose by more than 800%.
The priority shift is "mixed messaging at best from the department and the administration," said Eric Balliet, a former HSI agent. (pbs - ublic Broadcasting Service, 17.09.2026)
- Erstellt am .
- Aufrufe: 9