Guarding the Border: U.S. Immigration Enforcement since 9/11

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. It was created after the devastating events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists in hijacked airliners destroyed the World Trade Center in New York. That event convinced everyone that the terrorism threat is real and homeland security had to be improved. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for identifying and addressing border vulnerabilities, including the US Border Patrol.

ICE was formed in 2002 under the Homeland Security Act and includes the former U.S. Customs Service, the law enforcement resources of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Federal Protective Service. The integration of services was designed to combine immigration and customs enforcement and to protect the country against terrorist attacks.

Targets Illegal Immigrants

ICE achieves its goals by targeting illegal immigrants and the people, money and materials that support terrorism and other criminal activities. Its mission is to protect America and to uphold public safety.

Before 9/11 immigration and custom organizations were not seen as effective tools in fighting terrorism. The formation of ICE created new systems to address national security threats and to detect terrorist activities. It is now the second largest federal law enforcement contributor to the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Employs 15,000 People

ICE employs 15,000 people to enforce more than 400 federal statutes. It also protects more than 8,800 federal buildings in the U.S. that have almost a million visitors a day, and also operates detention centers for illegal aliens. An Assistant Secretary appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate leads ICE.

ICE investigates employers with illegal workers who have gained access to critical infrastructure such as nuclear and chemical plants, military installations, ports and airports. It helps identify fraudulent immigration benefit applications and fraudulent illegal document manufacture and targets violators.

It also investigates the illegal export of munitions and sensitive technology and helps to combat criminal organizations smuggling people across the country's borders. ICE ensures that every illegal alien ordered deported leaves the country as soon as possible.

Continue to : Works with US Border Patrol