U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security, tasked with protecting national security and public safety from cross-border crime and illegal immigration.
The Structure of ICE
ICE has two main components: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). HSI focuses on disrupting transnational crime, while ERO handles the deportation and removal of illegal immigrants.
Key Leadership
The current acting director is Caleb Vitello. The agency was formed under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 following the September 11 attacks, and has not had a Senate-confirmed director since Sarah Saldaña stepped down in 2017.
Origins
The origins of HSI special agents date back to 1789 with the formation of the U.S. Customs Service. ICE is composed of two law enforcement directorates and several support divisions, each headed by a director who reports to an executive associate director.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
HSI is the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, consisting of over 10,300 employees. They investigate more than 400 U.S. laws that threaten national security, including human smuggling and trafficking, narcotics smuggling, document fraud, cyber crime, and child exploitation.
Training and Operations
HSI special agents are trained as Series 1811 criminal investigators with statutory authority to enforce Immigration and Nationality Act, U.S. customs laws, general federal crimes, Controlled Substances Act, and various U.S. codes. The largest cadre of special agents is located within Domestic Operations, where they made 31,915 criminal arrests, rescued 1,012 child exploitation victims, and seized $341 million worth of counterfeit goods in FY 2020.
Special Response Teams (SRT)
The Office of Intelligence facilitates HSI’s tactical and strategic intelligence demands. International Operations work with foreign governments to identify and combat transnational criminal organizations, while SRTs handle high-risk arrest and search warrants, barricaded subjects, and VIP protection for National Security Events.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
ERO is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and removing removable immigrants from the United States. Deportation officers arrest, monitor, supervise, and remove immigrants who violate U.S. immigration law. Fugitive Operations Teams target illegal immigrants with serious criminal convictions.
The Secure Communities Program
The Secure Communities program identifies removable immigrants in jails and prisons through fingerprint checks. The Office of State, Local and Tribal Coordination (OSLTC) is ICE’s primary outreach and communications component for state, local, territorial, and tribal stakeholders.
Training and Equipment
HSI special agents undergo additional specialized training, including the inter-agency Criminal Investigator Training Program and HSI Special Agent Training Course. ERO officers receive intensive Spanish language training prior to graduating from the 13-week ERO academy.
Weapons and Gear
HSI special agents have carried various sidearms, including the Glock 17, Heckler & Koch USP Compact, and Beretta 96D. In 2007, ICE selected the SIG-Sauer P229 DAK .40 caliber pistol as its agency issued sidearm from 2009 to 2020. The current duty sidearm is the SIG Sauer P320C pistol, chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum hollow-point rounds.
Operations and Controversies
ICE has been featured in movies and documentaries, including The Punisher, Human Trafficking, and Crossing Over. The agency has a list of personally owned weapons that are authorized for duty and off-duty carry, which must be inspected and approved by the firearms unit.
Operation Community Shield
ICE operates Operation Community Shield to target violent transnational street gangs through its broad law enforcement powers. Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g) allows ICE to establish cooperation with state and local law enforcement agencies and provides training and authorization for them to perform immigration law enforcement functions.
Historical Support
The agency has been historically supported by both major political parties, with President Clinton stating in his 1995 State of the Union address that ‘all Americans are rightly disturbed’ by large numbers of illegal aliens entering the country. The jobs held by border guards and immigration officials are often filled by citizens or legal immigrants who pay taxes.
Controversies and Criticisms
ICE has faced numerous controversies, including allegations of sexual abuse, forced sterilization, and serving pork to Muslim detainees. Between 2012 and 2018, 1,488 U.S. citizens were wrongly arrested and detained by ICE.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
As part of the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy in 2018, nearly 3,000 minors were separated from their parents while trying to cross the US-Mexico border. ICE detention centers had over 150 health violations cited by Texas officials.
Protests and Movements
The Abolish ICE movement gained traction after the agency waived international adoption fees for migrant children. Sanctuary cities limit cooperation with ICE, viewing immigration as a civil violation rather than a crime. Protests have emerged in response to Trump administration’s ICE policies, including occupying areas around facilities and disrupting operations.
Conclusion
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plays a crucial role in protecting national security and enforcing immigration laws. While it faces significant challenges and criticisms, its mission remains vital in addressing cross-border crime and illegal immigration. The ongoing debates surrounding ICE highlight the complex issues at play in our current immigration landscape.
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This page is based on the article U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement published in Wikipedia (retrieved on January 28, 2025) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.