Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is increasing pressure on Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees to volunteer for assignments supporting the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) border security and internal immigration enforcement missions. A February 19th memo obtained by WIRED and first reported by GovExec directs supervisors to actively encourage civilian staff to participate in these details, signaling a heightened emphasis on DoD assistance to DHS.
The directive follows an earlier authorization in June 2025 allowing DoD civilians to be detailed to DHS, but sources within the DoD report a noticeable shift in tone. One Army civilian employee, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, stated there is “definitely more pressure” now, particularly on the supervisory level. This push for volunteer support comes as Hegseth also oversees the DoD’s role in ongoing conflicts, including the U.S. Involvement in the conflict with Iran.
The memo, titled “Department of War Guidance to Encourage Support to the Department of Homeland Security Southern Border and Internal Immigration Enforcement Missions,” explicitly states Hegseth’s expectation that “every supervisor” will encourage their employees to volunteer and “educate their civilian employees on its importance.” The DoD and DHS did not respond to requests for comment regarding the directive.
Volunteer Roles Span Data Entry to Enforcement Operations
Opportunities for DoD civilian volunteers, posted through USAJobs, are being reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of DHS. While some positions involve administrative tasks like “data entry,” others are directly linked to immigration enforcement activities. These roles include assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in “developing concepts of operation and campaign plans to execute internal arrests and raids as well as patrols along the Southwest Border,” according to the job posting. Volunteers may also be tasked with “managing the physical flow of detained individuals from arrest to deportation” and logistical support for law enforcement personnel.
The DoD claims that “nearly 500 DoD civilians have signed up to participate and bring their skill sets to the border security and immigration enforcement mission at the participating DHS agencies” as of August 2025, according to a statement. However, the anonymous Army civilian employee expressed skepticism, stating, “I don’t know anyone who has taken the job.” They also highlighted the existing strain on DoD personnel, noting they have absorbed the responsibilities of three colleagues due to workforce reductions initiated under the Trump administration. This increased workload makes it difficult for employees to take on additional assignments.
Broader Trend of Federal Support for Immigration Enforcement
This directive is part of a larger pattern of changes across the federal government aimed at bolstering President Trump’s immigration agenda. Recent actions include a new rule at the Department of Housing and Urban Development that could restrict housing support for families with immigrant members, and requests to the General Services Administration for assistance in securing new facilities for ICE.
Pete Hegseth, born June 6, 1980, has a background in both military service and media. According to his official biography, Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the Minnesota and District of Columbia Army National Guard, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also held positions at Vets For Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America before becoming a Fox News contributor in 2014 and, later, Secretary of Defense in 2025. Learn more about Pete Hegseth’s background.
What to Expect Next
The effectiveness of this push to increase DoD volunteer support for DHS remains to be seen. The anonymous DoD employee’s comments suggest resistance within the ranks, and the department’s ongoing involvement in international conflicts could further limit the availability of personnel. Continued monitoring of volunteer participation rates and the impact on DoD operations will be crucial in assessing the long-term effects of this directive.
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