U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

About the ICE Office of International Affairs (OIA)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, charged with preventing terrorist and criminal activity by targeting the people, money, and materials that support terrorist and criminal organizations. The ICE Office of International Affairs (OIA) is a critical asset in this mission, responsible for enhancing national security by conducting and coordinating international investigations involving transnational criminal organizations and serving as ICE’s liaison to counterparts in local government and law enforcement

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Formed in 2003 as part of the federal government’s response to the 9/11 attacks, ICE’s mission is to protect the security of the American people and homeland by vigilantly enforcing the nation’s immigration and customs laws.

ICE combines innovative investigative techniques, new technological resources and a high level of professionalism to provide a wide range of resources to the public and to our federal, state and local law enforcement partners.

ICE is comprised of four operational divisions:

  • Office of Detention and Removal Operations (DRO)
  • Office of Investigations (OI)
  • Office of Intelligence (Intel)
  • Office of International Affairs (OIA)

With more than 19,000 employees in over 400 offices in the U.S. and around the world, ICE plays a vital role in the DHS layered defense approach to protecting the nation.

National Security