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President Ronald Reagan often reminded his audiences that the purpose of his administration, and of the nation and its military, was to pursue peace.
In an era when many lawmakers seek not only to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) but even to abolish the agency altogether, we would do well to remember what ICE is and why it exists.
ICE was established directly by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Notably, the entire creation and purpose of the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, was directly linked to the attacks of 9/11. While President George W. Bush formally received credit for its creation, it is crucial to remember that Congress supported and approved it as a bipartisan necessity for national safety.
The stated mission of ICE is clear: to protect America through criminal investigations and the enforcement of immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.
Most citizens are familiar with Border Patrol or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, yet fewer seem to understand the specific role of ICE agents. While these agencies share a related mission, each carries it out in distinct ways. Simply put, for more than twenty years, ICE agents have operated within the United States, working with jails, prisons, and local communities to detain and arrest individuals who have entered the country illegally or who have violated U.S. law.
With current crackdowns on illegal immigration being a daily topic in the nation, including in Minneapolis, several points need to be understood. First, the Department of Homeland Security does not have enough manpower within ICE alone to enforce its law enforcement missions. Hence, other federal agencies, such as Border Patrol and CBP, have been activated to assist with interior enforcement and public safety.
During the Bush administration, estimates of illegal immigrants in the nation ranged from 8 to 10 million. As the years progressed, these figures were reported to be about the same, though many now believe they were clearly under-reported.
When President Donald Trump took office in his second term, the realities of this problem came to the fore. The Department of Homeland Security was tasked to immediately address illegal immigration, with direct orders to focus on the “worst of the worst” criminals.
Dangerous rhetoric almost immediately came to life from the media, claiming people were being deported with no due process. However, the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, works strictly under federal laws. Any individual detained or arrested is afforded due process, including the right to a court hearing before any deportation occurs.
ICE exists for the same purpose it was created for in 2002. Whether one supports enforcing immigration law or not is not the primary question; it is best understood as the fundamental duty of enforcing federal law. The purpose of ICE is to safeguard the United States from criminal activity and uphold the statutes already on the books.
In an age of constant news and rapid information, it is worth remembering the purpose of ICE and why it exists. Ultimately, its mission is not about politics; it is about the quiet, daily work of upholding the laws that keep our nation secure and our communities at peace.