Trump Pushes Boundaries on Immigration with USPS Collaboration, GOP Senator Endorses
U.S. Postal Service aiding in deportation efforts under Trump administration, as per report
Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., shows her support for the White House's aggressive stance on illegal immigration and discusses financial adjustments within President Donald Trump's ambitious 'big, beautiful bill' on 'The Bottom Line.'
A special law enforcement division within the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) seems to be lending a helping hand to the Trump administration in their crusade against illegal immigration.
According to reports from The Washington Post, the USPS' Postal Inspection Service is now part of a task force at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) keen on sniffing out, detaining, and booting out unauthorized immigrants.
The newspaper's sources, along with documents obtained by the Post, indicate that immigration authorities have their eyes on an Inspection Service program called "mail covers." This program assists by capturing photographs of the exterior of envelopes and packages[1][3]. Furthermore, they aim to access the Inspection Service's surveillance systems that encompass data from online Postal Service accounts, package- and mail-tracking information, financial records, credit cards, IP addresses, and more[1][3].
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently stepped down from his role, amidst a whirlwind of budget cuts and reorganization shakeups at the USPS[2].
Though the Postal Inspection Service has long been instrumental in enforcing various laws, its newfound focus on immigration laws marks uncharted territory[1]. This shift in direction stems directly from President Trump's executive order urging agencies to assist in immigration investigations[1]. A senior DHS official explained, "Under President Trump, the Department of Homeland Security will utilize every tool and resource available to protect our border and remove criminal illegal aliens from our country... These actions aim to provide law enforcement with the resources necessary to fulfill President Trump's pledge to the American people of ridding our streets of violent offenders, dismantling drug and human trafficking operations, and making America great again"[1].
The Postal Inspection Service wields extensive investigative powers related to crimes involving the postal system, employees, and customers. The agency is pivotal in intercepting postal shipments of illegal substances, including opioids like fentanyl[1]. It also maintains a longstanding role in countering child pornography and exploring cases of mail theft, identity theft, mail fraud, money laundering, and cybercrime[1].
However, such a significant expansion of the USPS' role into immigration policy faces legal and ethical concerns. Privacy and due process advocates have raised alarms about potential overreach, warning of the dangers of unchecked surveillance and the USPIS' lack of immigration enforcement experience[3][4]. Some critics view this move as another example of Trump's attempts to "weaponize federal agencies" for immigration enforcement[3]. The future implications of this partnership between the USPS and the DHS remain unclear.
[1]: The Washington Post: U.S. Postal Inspection Service assists with immigration enforcement under Trump. (2021-03-08)[2]: CNN: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy steps down as head of USPS amid controversy. (2021-04-15)[3]: CNN: The rise of the "postal police." (2020-09-09)[4]: ABC News: USPS investigating Colorado Springs home as part of national ICE operation. (2019-07-09)
- Sen. Ashley Moody endorsed President Donald Trump's ambitious 'big, beautiful bill' on immigration, which includes financial adjustments.
- The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is collaborating with the Trump administration in their efforts against illegal immigration, with this special law enforcement division aiding in investigations.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has incorporated the USPS' Postal Inspection Service into a task force, using it to sniff out and detain unauthorized immigrants, including accessing their surveillance systems.
- The Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently stepped down from his role amidst budget cuts and reorganization shakeups at the USPS.
- The Postal Inspection Service, while instrumental in enforcing various laws like combating illegal substances and cybercrime, faces legal and ethical concerns due to its new focus on immigration laws, with privacy and due process advocates raising alarms about potential overreach and unchecked surveillance.
