IMMIGRATIONS CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) AGENCY

The Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency was established after the United States attack on September 11, 2001, to protect the United States from terrorist and security threats. During this time, the U.S. Government restructured its handling of investigating and managing immigration-related activities around the world. This led to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the year 2003. The Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency, which is also popularly known as ICE, is considered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Here, it is pertinent to note that the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency's role includes initiating arrests of undocumented individuals within the territory of the U.S. They can also oversee immigration detention centres and immigration raids. Further, it is necessary to understand that there are two notable operational focus areas within the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency. The two divisions are as follows:

1) Enforcement and Removal Division (ERO)

The Enforcement and Removal division handles primary enforcement matters with regards to non-citizens in the U.S. Matters such as apprehending those who are unlawfully present or have violated U.S. law, with mens rea or those individuals who have been found re-entering the U.S. after previously being deported. ERO also has the right to detain any non-citizens. In cases, the non-citizens are emerging from prison after a criminal conviction and also carry out immigration court orders of removal.

2) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

With offices in several U.S. cities and worldwide, the Homeland Security Investigations is the Department of Homeland Security’s investigating arm. This division focuses on protecting U.S. national security and handles transnational criminal investigations. It helps apprehend people and criminal organizations and punishes those who exploit U.S. customs and immigration laws and procedures. The Homeland Security Investigations has several powers in case such as financial crimes, cybercrimes, child exploitation and sex tourism, illegal weapons trade, narcotics smuggling and trafficking, identity and benefit fraud, transnational gang activity, counterterrorism and visa security, etc.

Now, it is important to understand that the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency’s website www.ice.gov offers important data such as a ‘detainee locator’ for people whose non-citizen family members have been arrested by the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency, a place for reporting suspicious activity and statistics on the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency’s removal of aliens and enforcement activities.

In conclusion, it can be said that the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency protects the United States from terrorist and security threats by handling investigations and managing immigration-related activities around the world.

Author: Jinal Vyas