The Department of Defense is ramping up pressure on its civilian employees to volunteer for immigration enforcement duties with the Department of Homeland Security, according to a memo sent by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The memo, titled "Department of War Guidance to Encourage Support to the Department of Homeland Security Southern Border and Internal Immigration Enforcement Missions," was sent to thousands of civilian DOD employees.
The instructions follow a June 2025 memo in which Hegseth authorized civilian employees to be detailed to DHS. However, an Army civilian employee who spoke to WIRED on the condition of anonymity says that there is now "definitely more pressure" to participate, particularly from supervisors. The employee notes that this kind of request to volunteer for another federal agency is "very not common" and would be difficult to fulfill given the department's current workload.
Inside the Volunteer Program
DOD employees who want to volunteer to be detailed to DHS need to apply through USAJobs. According to the job posting, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be reviewing applications. Volunteers will not only be sent to the southern border but also to "several ICE and CBP facilities throughout the interior of the United States." The roles range from mundane tasks like "data entry" to assisting ICE and CBP in developing concepts of operation and campaign plans for internal arrests and raids.
The memo is part of a broader effort by the federal government to enforce President Donald Trump's immigration agenda. At the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a new rule would bar families with immigrant members from receiving certain forms of support from the agency. The General Services Administration has also been asked to assist ICE in procuring new physical spaces across the country.
The Security Tradeoff
The increased pressure on DOD civilian employees to volunteer for immigration enforcement duties raises questions about the potential impact on national security. With the DOD already engaged in directing the US's role in conflict with Iran, the diversion of resources and personnel to support DHS could exacerbate existing security concerns. As one Army civilian employee noted, the department is already understaffed, and the loss of personnel to volunteer for another federal agency could further strain its operations.
As reported by GovExec, the memo is the latest in a series of changes across the federal government meant to support ICE's enforcement efforts. WIRED has also viewed the memo, which highlights the growing tension between the DOD's national security priorities and its role in supporting the administration's immigration agenda.
