United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facts for kids

Quick facts for kids United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
ICE logo
ICE seal
ERO Officer badge
Flag of ICE
Motto	"Protecting National Security and Upholding Public Safety" "Honor, Service, Integrity" (Homeland Security Investigations)
Agency overview
Formed	March 1, 2003 (23 years ago) (2003-03-01)
Preceding agency	Criminal investigation resources of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service and United States Customs Service
Employees	21,800+ (2025)
Annual budget	$9.13 billion (2025)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	United States
Specialist jurisdictions	Customs.
Operational structure
Headquarters	500 12th Street SW Washington, D.C., U.S.
Agency executives	Todd Lyons, acting director Charles Wall, deputy director
Parent agency	United States Department of Homeland Security

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States. It works under the United States Department of Homeland Security. ICE's main jobs are to investigate crimes, make sure immigration laws are followed, keep the country safe, and protect everyone. ICE was created after the September 11 attacks in 2001, as part of a new law called the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It took over many tasks from older agencies like the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Customs Service.

ICE has two main parts that enforce laws: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). It also has other divisions that help with its work. ICE has offices all over the United States and in some U.S. embassies in other countries. ICE agents do not patrol the borders; that job is done by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard. The current acting director is Todd Lyons.

Over the years, ICE has been part of many public discussions and debates. People have expressed different opinions about its actions and how it carries out its duties. Some have even suggested that the agency should be changed or removed.

What ICE Does

ICE agents watching a protest in Illinois, September 2025.

ICE is a federal agency that works to protect the United States. Its mission is to investigate crimes and enforce immigration laws to keep the country safe. ICE enforces many federal laws, focusing on stopping illegal activities related to customs, immigration, and preventing serious threats.

ICE has two main parts that enforce laws:

• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

HSI works to stop serious crimes that cross national borders. ERO is responsible for finding, holding, and sending back people who are in the United States without permission. ERO also manages facilities where these individuals are held while their cases are processed.

The agency also has three other divisions that support its work:

• Management & Program Administration
• The Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)
• The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)

In Spanish, people sometimes informally call the agency and its workers "la migra".

How ICE Started

Early Immigration Laws

The U.S. government has long had rules about immigration. In 1876, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the federal government had the power to make and enforce these rules. Over time, different government departments handled immigration. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was created in 1933. In 1940, because of concerns about national security, immigration services moved under the Department of Justice.

Creating ICE After 9/11

ICE headquarters building in Washington, D.C., 2009

After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the U.S. government made big changes to how it protected the country. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On March 1, 2003, the INS and the U.S. Customs Service were closed. Their jobs were split among three new agencies within DHS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

ICE became a major part of DHS, focusing on investigations. It took over parts of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, including their criminal investigation, detention, and deportation tasks.

In 2005, ICE started "Operation Community Shield." This program aimed to stop serious criminal groups that operate across borders.

Changes Over the Years

Obama Administration (2009–2016)

During the Barack Obama administration, many people who were in the U.S. without permission were sent back to their home countries. This led to public discussions about immigration policies.

First Trump Administration (2017–2021)

A protest against ICE in Philadelphia, June 2018

During the first presidency of Donald Trump, immigration policies became stricter. The administration aimed to increase ICE's staff and expand its powers to enforce immigration laws. ICE focused on finding anyone believed to be in the U.S. without permission. This led to more encounters and arrests. Some agents within HSI even suggested that HSI should become a separate agency from ERO.

Many protests happened across the country because of these policies. People gathered near ICE offices to express their concerns and try to stop operations. These protests spread to several major cities.

Biden Administration (2021–2025)

During Joe Biden's presidency, many people were removed or expelled at the U.S.–Mexico border. ICE also held many individuals in detention facilities. Some of ICE's practices during this time, like the use of solitary confinement, also received criticism.

Second Trump Administration (2025–Present)

California National Guard with riot shields at June 2025 Los Angeles protests against ICE and mass deportation.

People protesting against ICE in Manhattan, September 2025.

In the second Trump administration, immigration policies became very strict again. There was a large increase in deportations. The administration changed rules, allowing agents to operate in more places like hospitals and schools. The U.S. military also helped ICE in some states. There were concerns that some U.S. citizens were mistakenly detained. Some people also raised concerns about fairness in how individuals were targeted.

The government provided a lot of money to ICE for its operations, including hiring new agents. This made ICE the most funded federal law enforcement agency in U.S. history. Public opinion about ICE was divided, with many people expressing disapproval.

In 2025, some incidents occurred at ICE facilities in Texas, leading to public attention. In late 2025, there were changes in ICE's leadership, aiming to increase deportations. In early 2026, incidents involving federal agents led to public concern and criticism. ICE also faced legal challenges and court orders from judges who found issues with some of its actions.

How ICE is Organized

Todd Lyons is the acting director of ICE.

ICE has offices across the United States and in some U.S. diplomatic missions overseas. ICE agents do not patrol the borders; that is the job of the Border Patrol. HSI and ERO work as two separate law enforcement groups, each with its own main goals. HSI focuses on stopping serious crimes that cross borders, while ERO is responsible for finding, holding, and sending back people who are in the U.S. without permission. ICE works to find and fix security weaknesses related to borders, the economy, transportation, and important buildings.

ICE has over 20,000 employees. The government is also hiring more ICE agents. Other federal law enforcement agencies and National Guard troops also help with immigration enforcement.

The agency is led by a director and has several support divisions. Sometimes, there have been disagreements between HSI and ERO agents because HSI agents felt that ERO's deportation work made it harder for them to do their crime investigations.

ICE's Structure

• Director
  • Deputy director
  • Chief of staff
    • Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
      • Removal Division
      • Secure Communities and Enforcement Division
      • Immigration Health Services Division
      • Mission Support Division
      • Detention Management Division
      • Local Field Offices
    • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
      • Domestic Operations Division
      • Intelligence Division
      • International Operations Division
      • Mission Support
      • National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center
      • National Security Investigations Division
    • Management and Administration
    • Office of Professional Responsibility
    • Office of the Principal Legal Advisor

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

HSI Special Response Team (SRT) training with an armored vehicle.

HSI is the main investigative part of the Department of Homeland Security. It has over 10,300 employees in offices across the U.S. and in many countries around the world. About 6,000 of these employees are special agents who investigate crimes. This makes HSI the second-largest investigative service in the United States, after the FBI.

HSI special agents investigate many types of crimes that threaten national security. These include stopping illegal goods, protecting children from harm, stopping illegal weapons, investigating financial crimes like money laundering, and fighting cybercrime. They also work to stop the illegal trade of fake products and protect important cultural items. HSI agents can also help provide security for important people and events.

HSI Domestic Operations

This is the largest group of HSI special agents. In 2020, HSI special agents made many arrests, helped rescue children who were being exploited, and seized a lot of illegal goods and money from criminal groups. HSI works to protect children from exploitation, including stopping the creation and sharing of harmful content involving children.

HSI Office of Intelligence

This office has special agents and experts who gather and analyze information. They use this information to help HSI and other parts of DHS with their investigations. They work closely with other federal, state, and local agencies.

HSI International Operations

This part of HSI has agents in many locations around the world. These agents work with foreign governments to find and stop criminal groups that operate across borders before they can threaten the United States. They also help with investigations that start in the U.S. but involve other countries.

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

ICE "enforcement and removal operation" in Los Angeles.

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) mainly deals with sending back people who are in the U.S. without permission. This is one of the most public parts of ICE's work. ERO manages facilities where these individuals are held while their cases are processed. In cities, ERO officers focus on finding people who are in the country without permission. At the borders, ERO officers receive and hold people caught by the United States Border Patrol.

ICE ERO officers deporting a man to Mexico.

ERO is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws. ERO officers find, arrest, and remove people who have broken U.S. immigration laws. They also transport and hold individuals in ICE custody and send them back to their home countries.

ERO has special teams called Fugitive Operations Teams. These teams find and deal with people who have ignored immigration orders and are still in the United States. These teams often focus on individuals who have also committed serious crimes.

ERO also manages the Secure Communities program. This program helps identify people in jails and prisons who might be in the U.S. without permission. When someone is arrested, their fingerprints are checked against databases to see if they have immigration issues.

Other ICE Divisions

The Office of State, Local and Tribal Coordination (OSLTC) works to build good relationships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It helps coordinate activities and public engagement. The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) gives legal advice and services to ICE and represents the U.S. in court cases. The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigates complaints about ICE employees.

ICE Air is the part of ICE that uses airplanes to send people back to their home countries. In 2026, it used 12 aircraft for this purpose. The ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) provides medical care to people held in ICE detention facilities. Their goal is to give the best care possible, following values like integrity and service. The IHSC team includes doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.

Former Units

Some parts of ICE have moved to other agencies over time. For example, the Federal Air Marshal Service and the Federal Protective Service were once part of ICE but later moved to other departments. The Office of Air and Marine Operations also moved to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Training for ICE Agents

New ICE law enforcement personnel get their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. As of 2025, only new recruits without prior law enforcement experience train at FLETC.

In 2026, internal documents showed that ICE had reduced its basic training program. This included fewer hours for hands-on practice, firearms training, and fitness training.

HSI Special Agent trainees complete a program called the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) and then the HSI Special Agent Training Course (HSI SAT). This training teaches them about U.S. customs law, how to serve warrants, advanced tactics, and other important skills for their investigations.

Tools and Equipment

Technology for Information Gathering

In 2025, it was reported that ICE agents use technology to help identify people. This technology can access information from government databases. ICE also uses information from different government agencies to help with immigration enforcement. This includes records from agencies like the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

Firearms

ICE agents and officers carry firearms. They must train and qualify with their weapons regularly. For non-lethal options, agents also carry expandable batons and pepper spray.

Masks for Identity Protection

Uniformed HSI SRT agents in Los Angeles wearing identity-concealing balaclavas.

ICE agents sometimes wear masks to cover their faces. Some officials have said this is to protect agents from threats and to keep their families safe. In response to this practice, some states like California, Washington, and New Jersey have passed laws that ban law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks.

ICE officer detaining a suspect.

Immigration Laws and ICE

Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g) is a part of immigration law that allows ICE to work more closely with state and local police. This means that some local law enforcement officers can be trained and authorized to help enforce immigration laws under ICE's supervision.

This program helps local police identify and process people who are in the U.S. without permission during their regular duties. The number of these agreements increased significantly in 2025.

Places Where People Are Held

ICE Detention Centers

ICE operates facilities across the United States where people are held while their immigration cases are decided. As of January 2026, ICE held about 73,000 individuals in custody, which was the highest number since the agency started.

Conditions in some detention centers have received criticism, leading to discussions about how people are treated. Sometimes, U.S. citizens were mistakenly held by ICE. From 2012 to early 2018, 1,480 U.S. citizens were wrongfully arrested and detained.

Separating Families

In 2018, as part of a policy, some children were separated from their parents at the U.S.–Mexico border. This caused a lot of concern and public discussion.

Sanctuary Cities

Pro-sanctuary states are in blue, states which have banned sanctuary cities are in red, and states in gray have no official policy.

Sanctuary cities are places that choose to limit their cooperation with ICE, especially when it comes to people arrested for local crimes. These cities generally do not hold individuals longer than necessary just because ICE asks them to. They do this because of concerns about legal rights and because immigration violations are often seen as civil matters, not criminal ones.

During the Trump administration, there were efforts to challenge sanctuary cities. For example, an executive order tried to stop federal funding for these cities, but a court later blocked this order.

Images for kids

• 

  Homeland Security investigations agents with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida on May 6, 2025.

• 

  HSI Rapid Response Team members provide medical care to a simulated casualty during the RRT Field Familiarization and Disaster Response Training exercise September 20, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

See also

In Spanish: Servicio de Control de Inmigración y Aduanas para niños

Comparable international agencies

• Australian Border Force
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Immigration Enforcement – a Home Office division in the United Kingdom
• Customs Surveillance Service – Spain
• Frontex – European Union
• Federal Migration Service (FMS) – Russia
• Guardia di Finanza – Italy