New England Biz Law Update
The federal government is preparing for a significant expansion of immigration enforcement in 2026, including increased workplace raids and expanded agency funding.
President Donald Trump’s administration plans to deploy billions of dollars in new funding to the Department of Homeland Security and related enforcement agencies, with a focus on interior immigration operations such as workplace enforcement actions and deportations.
Under a massive spending package passed by Congress, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol are slated to receive large budget increases through 2029 that far exceed prior annual allocations, positioning the agencies to hire additional agents, open more detention facilities, and expand enforcement activities nationwide.
Federal officials reportedly intend to increase worksite enforcement, which could involve audits and raids at businesses employing undocumented workers. Such a shift would mark a notable intensification of federal immigration compliance operations compared with recent years.
The planned expansion comes despite growing political controversy and public backlash in multiple cities and states, where aggressive interior enforcement has drawn criticism from local leaders and civil liberties advocates. It is part of a broader shift in federal immigration policy that also includes changes to visa and legal immigration protocols.
For employers, the prospect of heightened immigration enforcement means increased compliance risk related to worksite inspections, I-9 and employment eligibility documentation, and recordkeeping. Businesses that employ foreign workers, or rely on immigrant labor in sectors such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, or manufacturing, should ensure that their I-9 processes are up to date, internal audits are conducted, and corrective action is taken promptly for any identified deficiencies. Enhanced training for HR and payroll personnel on immigration compliance requirements may also be advisable in anticipation of heightened government scrutiny.
