United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Overview

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency was created in 2003 through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. ICE has two primary components: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Exterior view of a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.

History

ICE was created in 2003 as part of the federal government's response to the September 11 attacks. The formation of ICE represented a significant reorganization of federal law enforcement agencies. The agency was designed to better integrate and coordinate the functions of investigative and enforcement agencies that were previously fragmented among multiple federal departments.

Structure

ICE is organized into two main operational components: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Each component is headed by an executive associate director who reports directly to the director of ICE.

Homeland Security Investigations

HSI is responsible for investigating a wide range of domestic and international activities arising from the illegal movement of people and goods into, within, and out of the United States.

Enforcement and Removal Operations

ERO is responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration laws in a fair and effective manner. It identifies and apprehends removable aliens, detains these individuals when necessary and removes illegal aliens from the United States.

Functions

ICE's primary mission is to promote homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration.

Immigration Enforcement

ICE has the authority to enforce immigration laws within the interior of the United States, including the identification, apprehension, detention, and removal of removable aliens.

Customs Enforcement

ICE also enforces customs laws, including those related to trade, customs, and import/export control.

Criticism and Controversy

ICE has been the subject of numerous controversies and criticisms. Critics argue that the agency's enforcement actions have been overly aggressive, leading to violations of civil rights and due process.