U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
In March 2003, the Homeland Security Act set into motion what would be the single-largest government reorganization since the creation of the Department of Defense. One of the agencies in the new Department of Homeland Security was the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, now known as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE. With more than 20,000 employees, a presence in all 50 states and 48 foreign countries, today, ICE is stronger than ever.
ICE was granted a unique combination of civil and criminal authorities to better protect national security and public safety in answer to the tragic events on 9/11. Leveraging those authorities, ICE has become a powerful and sophisticated federal law enforcement agency.
A little more than 10 years ago, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established as DHS' largest investigative agency and one of three DHS agencies charged with administering the nation's immigration system. ICE was created based on the recognition that global threats have become more dangerous, and a new approach was needed to ensure the security of the U.S. homeland and the American people.
Over the years, ICE has achieved truly impressive results in protecting our nation's borders and enhancing public safety. Today, ICE is more than 20,000 strong with a presence in all 50 states and 48 foreign countries. ICE is galvanized toward its mission – to promote homeland security and public safety through the enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration.
Over the past decade, ICE has improved border security by increasing its presence on the southwest border and strengthening our relationships with our law enforcement partners. ICE has prioritized immigration enforcement by targeting, first and foremost, criminal aliens and those who pose a threat to the nation.
Most of today's crimes are transnational in nature. Through the Illicit Pathways Attack Strategy, we've adopted a more coordinated international approach to our investigations in various areas. This coordination allows us to focus on protecting our nation's children from sexual predators from around the globe through the criminal investigation and removal of sex offenders. Adopting a victim centered approach has led to the rescue of hundreds of children.
ICE's three directorates will continue to propel the agency to greater success. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will continue conducting criminal investigations against transnational criminal organizations who threaten national security. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) will enforce the nation's immigration laws in a fair and effective manner. Management and Administration will continue to make the agency's mission possible by providing legal support and professional management, while helping to guide the dynamic growth and future of ICE. (Link: https://www.ice.gov/history)