Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) staff are being encouraged to resign or retire amid a new wave of staffing cuts. These cutbacks, announced in an email to DHS staff on April 7, 2025, marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal workforce. This decision marks a sharp turn in the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size of federal agencies, as Homeland Security and ICE had seemingly avoided the widespread layoffs seen in other agencies.
The email, titled “Reshaping the DHS Workforce,” offered DHS staff three options for leaving their current roles: a deferred resignation, early retirement, or a voluntary separation payment. The latter offers employees a lump-sum payment of up to twenty-five thousand dollars.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin explained the DHS and USCIS staffing cuts are the result of a plan to help the organization refocus its efforts on border security and immigration enforcement. Downsizing, according to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, allows the department to fulfill the immigration enforcement efforts of the Trump administration while still supporting its’ employees.
USCIS staff received a similar email. Up to 20,000 employees from their agency alone could get laid off. This action will increase the backlog in the U.S. immigration system, increasing wait times and delays on document processing.
It’s currently unclear whether mandatory DHS and USCIS staffing cuts will be made if not enough employees accept one of the options.
Since the start of his second term, President Trump has made numerous efforts to reduce the size and scale of federal agencies and their workforce. This was mainly to reduce unnecessary spending, a key promise of Trump’s re-election campaign. However, the first wave of layoffs faced legal challenges from resistant employees, some upheld by the courts. Providing compensation could be a more indirect way of getting federal staff.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.
