The fierce national debate over immigration enforcement under President Trump has largely focused on contentious measures like mass deportations and expanded ICE raids. But lost in that shouting match are several enforcement efforts that attract support from both parties—and deserve recognition across the aisle.
Here are four initiatives that, despite the political rancor, have demonstrated bipartisan potential.
Joint Task Force Alpha: Taking on smugglers
Created by the Biden administration in June 2021, Joint Task Force Alpha targets the transnational human smuggling networks that profit from migrant exploitation. The Justice Department and Homeland Security jointly investigate and prosecute these criminal organizations, which often abandon migrants in dangerous conditions. Between October 2020 and June 2021, DHS rescued more than 4,000 migrants left behind by smugglers along the southwest border; tragically, at least 250 migrants died in 2020 during their journey.
The task force has continued under the Trump administration and has been expanded to cover maritime borders and the northern border with Canada. Since its inception, it has led to over 483 arrests, more than 436 convictions, and significant asset forfeitures.
Protecting unaccompanied children
Most unaccompanied alien children (UACs) who cross the border are transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which cares for them until they can be placed with sponsors. During the Biden years, more than 479,000 children were referred to ORR—a surge that overwhelmed the agency and led to relaxed vetting procedures.
A Health and Human Services inspector general report found troubling gaps in that vetting: in 16% of sampled cases, sponsor safety checks lacked documentation; 19% of files for children released with pending FBI or child abuse registry checks were never updated; 35% had legibility issues with sponsor IDs; and 22% missed timely follow-up calls. The Trump administration has since launched efforts to locate these missing children and has prioritized prosecuting individuals who filed fraudulent sponsorship applications—a goal that resonates with both parties.
Combating exploitation of foreign farmworkers
In a September 15 press release, the Justice Department announced an indictment against five defendants accused of defrauding the H-2A visa program, which allows farmers to hire temporary foreign workers when domestic labor is scarce. The indictment alleges the defendants failed to comply with program requirements, demanded payments before workers could apply or start jobs, and prevented workers from leaving by confiscating passports and threatening violence.
U.S. Attorney Margaret E. “Meg” Heap for the Southern District of Georgia stated, “We will continue to partner with our federal, state and local agencies to protect these workers, safeguard the integrity of the H-2A program and prosecute those who turn a lawful employment program into a vehicle for profit and abuse.” Such enforcement enjoys broad support, as it targets abuse of a legal pathway.
Homeland Security task forces: Cracking down on cartels
President Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” directed the Justice Department and DHS to create Homeland Security task forces in all states. These task forces bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement to “end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations throughout the United States.” So far, 59 task force offices have been established, with more than 9,000 personnel and 440 state and local agency partners.
Opponents of the administration’s immigration policies should not automatically oppose every enforcement measure. Prosecuting smugglers, protecting vulnerable children, and preventing worker exploitation are objectives that transcend party lines. As border wall litigation continues, these less controversial efforts might offer a path to common ground. Similarly, bipartisan fire over other administration moves shows that not all issues split neatly along party lines.
Nolan Rappaport, an executive branch immigration law expert who served on the House Judiciary Committee for three years and later as immigration counsel for the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims for four years, wrote decisions for the Board of Immigration Appeals for 20 years.
