Counterterrorism Experts Warn of Risks as Federal Focus Shifts to Mass Deportation

Washington, D.C. – As the Trump administration intensifies its mass deportation agenda, some counterterrorism experts are sounding alarms over a perceived erosion of federal resources dedicated to preventing terrorism. The reallocation of law enforcement personnel and funding from counterterrorism to immigration enforcement has raised concerns that the government may be neglecting critical security measures, potentially leaving the nation vulnerable to attacks.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, his administration has prioritized deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, a campaign promise that has reshaped federal law enforcement priorities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested 20,000 National Guard troops and an additional 20,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to bolster deportation efforts. Meanwhile, FBI field offices have reassigned hundreds of agents from counterterrorism and criminal investigations to assist ICE, according to multiple sources.

This shift has sparked criticism from counterterrorism experts who argue that the federal government is diverting finite resources away from monitoring and preventing terrorist threats. “The federal government used to prioritize domestic terrorism, and now it’s like domestic terrorism just went away overnight,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel during a recent town hall, highlighting the depletion of federal support for state and local counterterrorism efforts.

A notable example of this reallocation is the closure of a national database that tracked attempted and successful terrorism and targeted violence events, alongside cuts to FBI staff focused on domestic terrorism. These moves, part of a broader effort to fund deportation operations, have left violence prevention advocates worried about gaps in security. “We’re entering very dangerous territory,” a longtime U.S. counterterrorism official told ProPublica, describing the shift as “reckless.”

The administration defends its actions, arguing that immigration enforcement enhances national security. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated, “President Trump is keeping his promise to Make America Safe Again by empowering state and local law enforcement to relentlessly pursue criminals and protect American communities.” However, critics, including former DHS official Paul Rosenzweig, contend that the administration’s approach prioritizes political objectives over constitutional protections, potentially undermining due process and national security.

Recent incidents underscore the tension between immigration enforcement and counterterrorism priorities. In Boulder, Colorado, a federal judge halted the deportation of the family of an Egyptian man charged in an antisemitic firebomb attack, citing due process concerns. The case highlighted the administration’s aggressive deportation tactics, which some argue divert attention from addressing active threats like the Boulder attack.

While the administration has cited public support for stricter immigration policies, with 49% of Americans approving of Trump’s handling of border security in a recent NBC News poll, experts warn that the trade-off could have dire consequences. “Given that FBI resources are finite, a significant increase in immigration enforcement will draw agents away from what have long been top FBI priorities, including counterterrorism,” a former FBI official told NBC News.

17GEN4.com

17GEN4 news