Homeland Security Act in the context of "USA PATRIOT Act"

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE; pronounced "ice") is a federal law enforcement agency under the supervision of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Its stated mission is to conduct criminal investigations, enforce immigration laws, preserve national security, and protect public safety. ICE was created as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 following the September 11 attacks. It absorbed the prior functions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the United States Customs Service.

ICE has been involved in multiple controversies throughout its existence, with significant increases in criticism during the first and especially the second administration of Donald Trump. Following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025 as part of Trump's hardline immigration policy, ICE became the largest and most well-funded federal law enforcement agency in U.S. history. Its aggressive and anonymized enforcement actions, controversial publicity campaigns, and militarization resulted in significant drops in public support and raised concerns over legality, lack of accountability, and civil rights violations. ICE agents are noted for wearing masks, civilian clothing, and using unmarked vehicles to protect their identity. The agency has been the subject of widespread protests particularly in 2018 and 2025, with some activists calling for its abolition. Since its expansion, the agency has been described by critics, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, as a growing paramilitary force under Trump's personal control.