Of course, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents work to protect the nation’s borders and interior from those who would enter the country illegally or overstay their visas, as well as foreign nationals intent on doing the country harm. To accomplish this, ICE agents are known to work with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along U.S. borders, within border stations and ports of entry. However, ICE agents today more frequently perform law enforcement functions throughout the interior of the country in their never-ending mission to isolate and disrupt criminal enterprises and terrorist organizations.
Enforcement – The most prominent job function performed by ICE agents is Enforcement and Removal (ERO). Agents assigned to perform this duty are responsible for locating, detaining, and ultimately removing, people who are in the country illegally.
But their job does not just involve putting dangerous illegal immigrants behind bars. They also spend time gathering intelligence, and building bonds with the community in order to be able to establish trust within immigrant communities.
Intelligence – ICE intelligence agents work in the ICE Homeland Security Investigations Intelligence Office (HSI-Intel) and use the latest technology and communications equipment in order to help detain and deport dangerous criminals.
The office is also responsible for preparing for all manner of disasters – from terrorist attacks to outbreaks of disease. Additionally, the National Incident Response Unit (NIRU), which also operates out of the HIS-Intel facilities, is responsible for coordinating information sharing between ICE and other government agencies in the case of an emergency.
Investigations – Agents who work for the National Security Investigations Division (NSID) of ICE are responsible for identifying, locating, and disrupting international criminal organizations, including drug distribution networks and terrorist organizations.
International Intellectual Property Rights – Protection of intellectual property rights is the main focus of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center). Agents who work in this department work to ensure that copyrights, trademarks, and other U.S. intellectual property is properly protected both at home and across the world.