Dear Mr. President: We need an EO banning non-citizens from becoming cops ... and we need to start deputizing combat vets

President Trump has issued a dizzying array of executive orders in an attempt to roll back Joe Biden's radical policies. As the owner of the largest group of law enforcement publications worldwide, and after having spoken with members of our Board of Advisors (the heads of the largest police groups in the country) I’d like to suggest another one to undo what many believe to be a national security threat. 

Over the past year, most recently in New Mexico, Democrat-controlled legislatures, the same people who only five years ago sought to dismantle police departments nationwide, have passed legislation allowing noncitizens to become police officers, sheriff's deputies, or, in the case of Washington State, deputy prosecutors.

We believe this is a terrible idea for some 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. We are asking President Trump to issue another executive order, this time blocking non-citizens from becoming police officers. 

There are several reasons for this. Some who entered the country illegally but claimed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status are among those included in the legislation and permitted to be sworn police officers. By merely entering the country illegally, these aliens committed a crime, violating our border laws. Yet in some states, they will be allowed to deprive American citizens of their liberty rights. 

In addition, according to a 2024 New York Post report, nearly 79,000 DACA recipients had prior arrest records. That report said the majority were between 19 and 22 when they were arrested, sourcing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

DACA was created by Barack Obama in 2012, and applied to those brought into the country before reaching age 16 and were under 31 as of June 15, 2012, along with additional criteria. In other words, while pro-immigration advocates claim DACA recipients are “children,” a vast majority are not. And now, despite having prior arrest records, some could be out on the street carrying a badge. 

The other concern is the lack of credible records from foreign countries. It is possible that someone with a serious felony in their home country but who has managed to fly under the radar in the US could receive a badge and a gun. This is a terrible policy and is dangerous not only to the public, but to the men and women who would stand behind these individuals and count on them to be trustworthy partners. 

Another issue is the fact that, as foreign citizens, they are not legally able to carry a firearm. Given the left’s obsession with the Second Amendment, it is pretty ironic that they do not seem to have an issue with noncitizens carrying firearms while they try to restrict law-abiding citizens’ right to do so. 

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has also told us that many terrorists have been released into the country thanks to Biden’s open border policies. If one of those terrorists happened to skirt through a background check (and let’s face it, blue cities are probably lax in that department), possibly exposing the chief executive of an agency employing one to a charge of treason. That would trigger a Department of Justice investigation into the city, the department, and the chief executive. There are, of course, tools that the DOJ can use to financially incentive agencies to make sure that only citizens are being hired.

There has also been news about the Chinese being allowed to set up police stations in the United States and operate with impunity. An executive order should be issued to prohibit this practice and pull federal funding for any cities that would enable this practice to continue. 

Finally, counties, cities, and towns nationwide are experiencing an issue attracting qualified applicants, irrespective of those trying to hire non-citizens as law enforcement officers. How about if the federal government created a program allowing sheriffs to deputize certain individuals (subject to background checks, of course), such as military veterans and retired law enforcement officers, to work on initiatives to assist with matters of community safety and outreach, and immigration enforcement?

It's one of the reasons why Law Enforcement Today has partnered with Red Balloon (details here)... to launch a massive hiring network to help make America safe again.

We are proud to support the Trump administration's efforts to dramatically ramp up hiring and training of officers, and the goal is to help place a minimum of an additional 100,000 individuals in agencies across the country.

An executive order that expands the ability for sheriffs or police chiefs to deputize combat veterans and other operators could go a long way in helping the recruitment process across our nation speed up drastically, providing additional support for Tom Homan's deportation efforts as well.

President Trump has done an outstanding job in just over two months. Still, on behalf of Law Enforcement Today, the Police Tribune, and Blue Lives Matter, the above suggestions will be helpful assets to public safety and enforcing the rule of law.