ICE's Use of Training and Technology in Immigration Enforcement

**Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)** is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, ICE was created in response to the 9/11 attacks to enhance national security and protect public safety. The agency's primary mission is to enforce federal laws related to customs, trade, and immigration, focusing on cross-border crime and illegal immigration[1][2][3]. **History and Structure:** ICE was formed by merging the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It operates with over 20,000 staff across more than 400 global offices, with an annual budget of approximately $8 billion[3]. The agency is structured into several key directorates, including **Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)**, which handles immigrant detention and deportation, and **Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)**, which investigates transnational crimes[1][2]. **Key Functions and Achievements:** ICE is known for its immigration enforcement efforts, particularly in interior regions of the U.S. It conducts investigations into human trafficking, terrorism, and other transnational crimes. Despite controversy over policies like family separation and detention conditions, ICE has made significant strides in combating illegal activities and protecting national security[4][6]. **Current Status and Notable Aspects:** Today, ICE continues to face challenges and controversy, particularly regarding its enforcement practices and impact on immigrant communities. The agency's actions can have profound effects on local economies and social services, as fear of ICE may deter undocumented immigrants from accessing essential services[6]. Despite these challenges, ICE remains a crucial component of U.S. immigration policy, working to balance enforcement with humanitarian concerns.

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is a critical division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), responsible for enforcing immigration laws by identifying, apprehending, detaining, and deporting undocumented immigrants who violate U.S. immigration statutes. Established in 2003 as part of ICE under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ERO evolved from the former Office of Detention and Removal Operations. Its mission is to protect national security and public safety by removing noncitizens subject to final removal orders, especially those involved in serious criminal activity[1][2][3]. ERO operates a nationwide network of detention facilities and conducts targeted enforcement operations, including Fugitive Operations Teams that track down immigrants who have absconded from legal proceedings. It manages the Secure Communities program, which utilizes biometric data to identify removable immigrants in local jails and prisons, linking criminal justice databases with immigration enforcement systems[1]. The division coordinates ICE Air Operations, facilitating the transport of detainees within the U.S. and their removal abroad in partnership with foreign governments[3]. In fiscal year 2023, ERO conducted approximately 142,580 removals via land and air, illustrating its extensive operational reach. The division works closely with the Department of State and international partners to ensure cooperation in accepting deportees[3]. With over 20,000 ICE employees and an annual budget near $6-8 billion, ERO represents one of the most visible and contentious aspects of U.S. immigration enforcement[2][4]. Notable aspects of ERO include its focus on removing immigrants with serious criminal records (such as homicide or sexual assault), its use of advanced biometric systems for identification, and its strategic deployment of personnel abroad to facilitate international removals. Despite its operational scale and significance in immigration policy enforcement, ERO faces ongoing public scrutiny due to the humanitarian and legal implications of its detention and removal activities[1][3].