Trump 2027 budget preview hints at sweeping scale-up in core agenda
FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal focuses on combating violent crime while boosting immigration enforcement, including funding for more agents, alongside additional resources for expanded detention capacity and removal operations, according to information provided exclusively to Fox News Digital by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) led by Director Russ Vought.
The plan calls for more than $19 billion in federal law enforcement funding — a 15% increase over current levels — which the administration says would go toward targeting violent criminals, drug traffickers and illegal immigrants.
"The President’s FY 2027 Budget fully funds a strong border, the removal of violent criminal aliens from our streets, and stops the endless stream of benefits to illegal aliens given preference over American citizens," an OMB spokesperson said in materials shared with Fox News Digital.
OMB said the administration is building on what it described as "great success in reducing crime under President Trump’s leadership."
"[We] will continue undeterred in removing the criminal illegal aliens terrorizing innocent Americans and arresting the criminals who bring drugs, crime, and chaos to our streets," the office said.
The proposal would fund more federal agents "working to capture illegal aliens," expand task forces targeting transnational criminal groups like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as well as drug cartels, and increase the number of prosecutors handling violent crime cases, according to OMB.
The budget also relies heavily on funding from the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTC), which OMB said provides more than $190 billion for homeland security efforts over multiple years, including at least $31.4 billion in 2027.
That funding would be used to finish construction of the southern border wall, deploy new border security technology and support large-scale immigration enforcement operations, according to OMB.
A major focus is expanding detention and deportation capacity.
OMB said WFTC provides $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including funding to expand detention space to as many as 100,000 single-adult beds and 30,000 family-unit beds. It also includes $15.4 billion for transportation to increase removals and allows for a 67% increase in ICE staffing through 2029.
The proposal also includes $899 million for immigration courts — a $99 million increase — which the administration says would help speed up deportation proceedings by adding judges and expanding courtroom space.
The administration has pointed to prior federal enforcement surges as evidence that a heavier law enforcement footprint can quickly reduce crime.
In Memphis, Tennessee, a Department of Justice-led operation involving federal agents and National Guard troops resulted in more than 1,700 arrests in a single month, including suspects tied to homicide, drug trafficking and gang activity, according to data previously reported by Fox News Digital. The operation also recovered nearly 300 firearms and located dozens of missing children.
A similar federal task force effort in Washington, D.C., has led to more than 10,000 arrests since 2025 and the seizure of over 1,000 illegal firearms, according to prior Fox News Digital reporting. Violent crime in the district has dropped sharply during that period, including declines in homicides and robberies.
The Coast Guard would also see increased funding, with a $2.1 billion boost to operations aimed in part at stopping migrants and illegal drugs at sea, according to OMB.
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The broader fiscal 2027 budget is expected to include a significant increase in defense spending as well. Reuters reported that Trump is preparing to request a $1.5 trillion defense budget, potentially the largest year-over-year increase in post-World War II history, with funding for missile defense systems, fighter jets and warships.
Trump's proposed FY 2027 budget is expected to be presented to Congress on April 3, Good Friday.