The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A brief overview of ICE’s history, components, and areas of responsibility in DHS:

• History: ICE was created in 2003 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a merger of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Customs Service. ICE’s 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.”
• Components: ICE is divided into three main components:
  • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): HSI is responsible for investigating a wide range of crimes, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, financial crimes, and cybercrime.
  • Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO): ERO is responsible for the arrest, detention, and removal of undocumented immigrants.
  • Office of Management and Policy (OMP): OMP provides support services to the other two components, such as training, technology, and legal advice.
• Areas of responsibility in DHS: ICE has a wide range of responsibilities within DHS, including:
  • Enforcing immigration laws: ICE is responsible for enforcing all federal immigration laws, including those governing legal immigration, illegal immigration, and visa overstays.
  • Protecting national security: ICE works to protect national security by investigating and disrupting transnational criminal organizations, such as drug cartels and human trafficking rings.
  • Securing the border: ICE works to secure the U.S. border by interdicting illegal immigration and smuggling, and by enforcing customs laws.
  • Ensuring public safety: ICE works to ensure public safety by investigating and arresting criminals, and by removing undocumented immigrants who pose a threat to public safety.

ICE has been the subject of much controversy in recent years, due to its aggressive enforcement of immigration laws. However, ICE also plays an important role in protecting national security and public safety.