What is ice doing

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Quick Answer: ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) enforces immigration and customs laws through workplace raids, criminal investigations, deportations, and border security operations. The agency conducts ongoing enforcement activities across all 50 states and internationally.

Key Facts

Current ICE Operations

ICE operates continuously across the United States, conducting various enforcement activities aimed at identifying, detaining, and removing individuals without legal authorization to remain in the country. The agency also investigates serious crimes including human trafficking, drug smuggling, and customs violations.

Enforcement and Removal Operations

This division handles the bulk of ICE's visible operations. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) conducts field operations, manages detention facilities, and processes removal cases through immigration courts. These operations include home visits, workplace audits, and traffic stops where immigration status may be verified.

Criminal Investigations

ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division focuses on criminal activity with immigration nexus. This includes investigating human smuggling networks, document fraud, money laundering related to immigration crimes, and customs violations. HSI agents often work undercover and collaborate with international law enforcement agencies.

Workplace Enforcement

ICE conducts audits and raids on workplaces to ensure employers verify worker eligibility. These operations verify I-9 forms and employment authorization documents. When employers are found to be knowingly hiring unauthorized workers, they may face significant penalties and criminal charges.

Detention Processing

After apprehension, individuals are processed through ICE detention facilities where they await immigration hearings. ICE also transports individuals to detention centers and coordinates with immigration judges to move cases through the removal system. The agency manages cases from apprehension through final deportation.

International Coordination

ICE works with foreign governments to locate fugitives, investigate transnational crimes, and arrange deportations. The agency's international presence allows it to pursue cases that cross borders and coordinate with law enforcement partners worldwide.

Related Questions

How often does ICE conduct workplace raids?

ICE conducts workplace raids on varying schedules based on intelligence and investigations. Frequency increased significantly in recent years, with the agency announcing certain raids in advance while conducting surprise operations at other times.

What happens to people detained by ICE?

Detained individuals are held in ICE facilities, informed of charges, and given opportunity to contact family and attorneys. They attend immigration hearings where judges decide whether they can stay or must be deported.

Does ICE work with local police?

Yes, ICE coordinates with local and state law enforcement through various programs and initiatives. Some communities have formal agreements, while others limit cooperation based on local sanctuary policies.

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Sources

  1. ICE - Agency Overview and Mission Public Domain
  2. Wikipedia - Immigration and Customs Enforcement CC-BY-SA-4.0