ICE

 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

I

- **What is ICE?** 

ICE is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), established in 2003 after the 9/11 attacks. Its mission is to protect the U.S. from transnational crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security and public safety.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)

- **Key Components:**

  - **Homeland Security Investigations (HSI):** Focuses on disrupting transnational crime, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and cybercrime. HSI has over 8,700 employees across 237 U.S. offices and 93 international offices.[](https://www.ice.gov/about-ice)

  - **Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO):** Handles the apprehension, detention, and deportation of undocumented immigrants. ERO manages detention facilities and removes individuals to over 150 countries.[](https://www.ice.gov/about-ice)

  - **Supporting Divisions:** Includes Management & Administration, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), and Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)

- **Operations:** ICE does not patrol U.S. borders (that’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s role) but focuses on interior enforcement, detaining and deporting unauthorized immigrants, and investigating cross-border crimes. It has about 20,000 employees across 400 U.S. offices and 53 countries, with an $8 billion annual budget.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)[](https://www.ice.gov/history)

- **Controversies:**

  - **Forced Sterilization Allegations (2020):** Whistleblower Dawn Wooten claimed high rates of sterilizations were performed on women in ICE detention without proper consent, prompting international criticism and accusations of human rights violations.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)

  - **Trump’s Policies (2025):** Under Trump’s second term, ICE has intensified deportations, targeting criminals and others, including some with clean records. Policies include using the Alien Enemies Act for rapid deportations and ending protections in sensitive areas like schools and hospitals. This has led to protests and legal challenges, with some U.S. citizens mistakenly detained.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86p821p660o)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement)

  - **Abolish ICE Movement:** Gained traction in 2018 due to family separations and hardline policies. Polls show 24-25% of Americans support abolishing ICE, though it’s divisive (72% of Democrats view ICE unfavorably, 72% of Republicans favorably).[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolish_ICE)

- **Recent Activity (2025):** ICE has arrested thousands, including 51,302 detainees as of June 2025, with 44% having no criminal record beyond immigration violations. Operations target sanctuary cities and involve National Guard support.[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86p821p660o)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/ice-operation-trump-focus-immigration-reshape-federal-law-enforcement-rcna193494)