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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Practical Law Glossary Item 1-504-4965 (Approx. 3 pages)
Glossary
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The federal agency responsible for the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing:
- Immigration.
- Customs.
- Border control.
- Certain illegal trade-related activity.
In the employment context, ICE audits and investigates companies to ensure employers are:
- Verifying the identity and employment eligibility of all individuals hired in the US through the completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 (see Practice Note, Demonstrating the Right to Work in the United States and Completing Form I-9 for Employees Checklist).
- Not hiring illegal immigrants.
- Not engaged in illegal activity, such as:
- trafficking, smuggling, or harboring illegal immigrants;
- visa fraud;
- identification document fraud;
- money laundering; or
- other criminal conduct.
ICE was established in March 2003 by assuming the investigative and interior enforcement functions of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). It is the largest investigative unit of the Department of Homeland Security.