Immigration Enforcement

Immigration Enforcement

Immigration enforcement refers to the system of federal laws, agencies, policies, and practices used by the United States government to regulate immigration, investigate suspected violations of immigration law, detain individuals, and carry out removals (deportations). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees virtually all federal immigration enforcement activities in coordination with multiple component agencies.([ohss.dhs.gov][1])

Agencies Involved

The primary federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement are part of the Department of Homeland Security:

• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which conducts interior immigration enforcement, detention, and removal operations, including worksite investigations and fugitive apprehension.([ICE][2])
• CBP (Customs and Border Protection), which enforces immigration laws at and between ports of entry, including the apprehension of noncitizens attempting to enter the country without authorization.([ohss.dhs.gov][1])
• U.S. Border Patrol, a component of CBP that conducts patrols along land borders and coastal regions to interdict unauthorized entries.([Department of Homeland Security][3])

While DHS is the principal enforcement authority, state and local agencies also participate through formal agreements with ICE such as those authorized under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.([Wikipedia][4])

Scope of Enforcement

Federal immigration enforcement includes a broad range of activities:

• Arrests and apprehensions of noncitizens suspected of immigration law violations both at the border and in the interior.([migrationpolicy.org][5])
• Custodial detention in DHS-managed or contracted facilities.([forumtogether.org][6])
• Removal (deportation) proceedings and execution of removal orders.([ICE][2])
• Workplace inspections and enforcement actions targeting unauthorized employment.([American Immigration Council][7])
• Enforcement-related surveillance, document checks, and coordination with local law enforcement.([U.S. Customs and Border Protection][8])

Although immigration violations are administrative (civil) rather than criminal under U.S. law, enforcement activities are frequently carried out by armed federal officers and may intersect with criminal law enforcement.([Department of Homeland Security][9])

Interior Enforcement

Immigration enforcement extends well beyond international borders. In the U.S. interior, ICE is responsible for arresting, detaining, and removing noncitizens suspected of violating immigration law, including those encountered in communities, workplaces, or transit hubs.([migrationpolicy.org][5])

Interior enforcement also includes cooperation with state and local authorities under programs like 287(g), which deputize local officers to enforce federal immigration law under ICE supervision.([Wikipedia][4])

Legal Framework

Federal immigration enforcement is grounded in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which grants broad authority to the federal government over admission, removal, and enforcement procedures. DHS regulations and internal policies further define how these laws are administered.

Section 287(g) of the INA expressly authorizes the delegation of enforcement authority to trained state and local officers under DHS supervision.([Wikipedia][4])

Detention and Removal

Individuals arrested during immigration enforcement operations may be held in a network of detention facilities overseen by ICE or contracted providers. CBP may hold individuals for short-term processing, while ICE detains individuals pending removal or immigration court proceedings.([forumtogether.org][6])

Detention populations and practices are subject to public scrutiny and controversy, including allegations about conditions of confinement. Recent reporting indicates that noncitizens without criminal records have comprised significant portions of the detention population in certain periods.([The Guardian][10])

Oversight and Criticism

Immigration enforcement has been subject to criticism from civil rights organizations, lawmakers, and journalists. Issues raised include detention conditions, limited transparency, racial profiling, and enforcement strategies that affect individuals without criminal histories.([American Immigration Council][11])

Oversight mechanisms include internal DHS inspections, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and congressional review, although critics argue that these have limited capacity to ensure accountability.

Relationship to State and Local Authorities

Federal immigration enforcement often involves cooperation with state and local law enforcement. Under Section 287(g) agreements, local officers can perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions under ICE supervision.([Wikipedia][4])

See Also

• ICE
• CBP
• Border Agent

== References ==

[1]: https://ohss.dhs.gov/topics/immigration/immigration-enforcement?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Immigration Enforcement - Office of Homeland Security Statistics" [2]: https://www.ice.gov/mission?utm_source=chatgpt.com "ICE's Mission" [3]: https://www.dhs.gov/topics/border-security?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Border Security" [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_Section_287%28g%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Immigration and Nationality Act Section 287(g)" [5]: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/content/ice-arrests-deportations-interior?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Explainer: ICE Arrests and Deportations from the U.S. Interior" [6]: https://forumtogether.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Immigration-Detention-Factsheet_FINAL.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Fact Sheet: Immigration Detention in the United States" [7]: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/understanding-ice-worksite-raids/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Understanding ICE Raids at American Workplaces" [8]: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/dhs-protected-areas-faqs?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DHS Protected Areas FAQs" [9]: https://www.dhs.gov/topics/immigration-and-customs-enforcement?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" [10]: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/26/immigrants-criminal-record-ice-detention?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Immigrants with no criminal record now largest group in Ice detention" [11]: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/content-understanding-immigration-enforcement-databases/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Understanding Immigration Enforcement Databases"