The $170 Billion Deportation Machine: Why Trump Swapped Militias for Federal Power
One year into Trump’s second term, the administration has bypassed far-right militias to build a $170 billion federal deportation machine through ICE and CBP expansion.
The militias were ready for war, but Donald Trump had a bigger plan: a state-run deportation machine. One year into his second term, the anticipated chaos of far-right groups rounding up immigrants hasn't materialized on the scale once feared. Instead, according to WIRED, the administration has systematically remade the federal government to perform those tasks with unprecedented funding and legal immunity.
From Outsourced Extremism to Federal Force
Leading up to the 2024 election, groups like the Arizona Border Recon and the Texas Three Percenters offered to assist in mass deportations. Tom Homan, the administration’s "border czar," even met with affiliates of the Proud Boys. However, the White House didn't need them. By diverting resources from the FBI and DEA, the administration created an enlarged federal force capable of interior enforcement without relying on unpredictable volunteers.
Funding the New Iron Curtain
In July 2025, the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" unlocked $170 billion for border and immigration enforcement over the next four years. A staggering $75 billion went directly to ICE, making it the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency in history. This massive infusion of cash allowed Secretary Kristi Noem and policy architect Stephen Miller to expand surveillance and raids into previously protected areas like schools and hospitals.
The 287(g) Surge and Interior Overreach
The administration’s "tentacles" have reached deep into local communities. Participation in the 287(g) program, which deputizes local police for immigration work, skyrocketed from 125 agencies to over 1,200 as of November 25, 2025. Despite this, some of Trump’s base, including influencer Nick Fuentes, argue the administration is "not serious" because deportation numbers are still trailing behind historical records. Meanwhile, civil rights groups warn that using CBP—an agency with a history of alleged abuses—for interior policing is a "recipe for disaster."
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