FBI Director Kash Patel’s immigration focus has led to over 10,000 arrests since January, with the bureau aiding the Department of Homeland Security in targeting criminal networks. The data, included in FBI records reviewed by Fox News Digital, reflects the total number of immigration-related arrests the bureau has assisted the DHS with making since Jan. 20, 2025.
Recent operations involving the FBI have included arrests on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, where ICE apprehended about 32 individuals, including an alleged MS-13 gang member and a man named Luciano Pereira Deoliveira, who faced child rape and pornography charges. Patel has also shared updates on social media, such as the FBI’s capture of Harpreet Singh in April, who was wanted in India for terrorism allegations and entered the U.S. illegally in 2022.
As Patel faces media scrutiny for major changes within the FBI, including the removal of senior officials and relocations, some reports indicate that many agents have been reassigned to support DHS immigration enforcement. Erica Knight, Patel’s adviser, stated the bureau’s priorities have shifted to targeting criminal immigrants due to the surge in illegal migration during the Biden administration. “With over 10,000 immigration-related arrests, the Bureau under the direction of Director Patel is making it clear it’s not turning a blind eye to the border crisis—it’s targeting the violent cartels and criminal networks that are exploiting it,” Knight said. “This is the direction Americans have been demanding, and the Bureau is delivering on the promise to put safety and sovereignty first.”
Of the roughly 38,000 FBI employees, 13,192 have been involved in immigration enforcement since January. The highest concentration of agents working on immigration tasks was in the Los Angeles field office, followed by Philadelphia, Houston, and San Antonio. Although the FBI has no prior recent data on agents and employees aiding DHS with arrests through formal efforts, Patel has initiated interagency operations. For example, in Virginia, Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi led a task force that made 342 arrests, including those with illegal status and gang affiliations. The DOJ charged an MS-13 leader with a gun charge but later moved to dismiss it and instead deport him.
A retired FBI agent who worked at the bureau for two decades explained that while some agents may grumble about the new immigration enforcement duty, others see it as essential due to the recent surge in migrant influx. The agent noted that the bureau’s involvement is a result of the unprecedented situation, as the country has faced a significant influx of potential threats. The agent also highlighted the bureau’s unique contribution, including access to new sources, databases, and skill sets, which can be beneficial for intelligence gathering. “I would hope they’re exploiting every single one of these guys, clearly debriefing them and finding out what they know and who they know,” the agent said.