CISA Cyber Staffers Reassigned to Support Trump's Deportation Crackdown Amid Cybersecurity Expert Concerns

Homeland Security Reassigns CISA Cyber Staffers to Support Trump's Deportation Crackdown In a move that has raised concerns among cybersecurity experts, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has reassigned hundreds of employees from its cybersecurity agency, CISA, to support the Trump administration's broad immigration crackdown. According to reports, many of these staffers were moved from critical units such as the Capacity Building unit and the Stakeholder Engagement Division to other agencies within the department. The reassignment, which began in recent weeks, has seen CISA employees being redeployed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), both of which are key players in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts. Additionally, some CISA staffers have been moved to the Federal Protective Service, a police unit that works closely with ICE and CBP on deportations. "We're talking about hundreds of employees who were working on critical cybersecurity issues being reassigned to support deportation efforts," said a source close to the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This is a clear indication that the administration is prioritizing immigration enforcement over national security." The reassignment has sparked concerns among cybersecurity experts, who worry that it will compromise the nation's ability to defend against cyber threats. "By taking away skilled cybersecurity professionals from CISA, we're essentially weakening our defenses at a time when they are most needed," said Chris Painter, former chief cybersecurity advisor to the U.S. Department of State. The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a flagship policy since taking office, with a focus on deporting undocumented immigrants and strengthening border security. However, critics argue that this approach is not only inhumane but also ineffective in addressing the root causes of immigration. The reassignment of CISA staffers to support deportation efforts raises questions about the administration's priorities and its commitment to national security. "It's clear that the administration is more interested in pursuing a hardline immigration policy than in protecting our nation from cyber threats," said a Democratic lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity. As the situation unfolds, cybersecurity experts are warning about the potential consequences of this move. "We're seeing a disturbing trend where national security is being sacrificed for short-term political gains," said Painter. "This is a recipe for disaster, and it's only a matter of time before we see the consequences." The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not commented on the reassignment of CISA staffers or its implications for national security. Background: CISA, which was established in 2018, is responsible for protecting federal agencies and critical infrastructure from cyber threats. The agency's Capacity Building unit helps to improve the cybersecurity posture of federal agencies, while the Stakeholder Engagement Division leads CISAs partnerships with international agencies and organizations. The Federal Protective Service, where some CISA staffers have been reassigned, is a police unit that works closely with ICE and CBP on deportations. Its primary function is to provide law enforcement services to protect federal facilities and personnel. Next Developments: The reassignment of CISA staffers to support deportation efforts has sparked concerns among cybersecurity experts and lawmakers. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this move will impact national security and the nation's ability to defend against cyber threats. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*