NorthAmericans
ENESFR
United States · GlossaryEspañol

ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

ICE, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is the Department of Homeland Security agency that enforces immigration and customs laws inside the United States, including arrests, detention, and removal of people without lawful status.

Written by the NorthAmericans Editorial TeamLast verified: Expert review in progress
On this page
  1. What ICE does
  2. Frequently asked questions
  3. Official sources

What ICE does

  • Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO): identifies, detains, and removes noncitizens.
  • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): investigates crimes such as trafficking and fraud.
  • Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP): certifies schools and runs SEVIS for F-1, M-1, and J-1 students.

ICE does not decide green cards or citizenship (USCIS does) or inspect travelers at the border (CBP does). Removal cases are decided by immigration judges at EOIR.

If you or a family member is contacted or detained by ICE, talk to a licensed immigration lawyer right away. See removal proceedings and how to verify a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find someone detained by ICE?

Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with the person's A-number or name and country of birth.

Does ICE handle student visas?

ICE runs SEVP and SEVIS, which track students, but visas are issued by the State Department.

Is ICE the same as CBP?

No. CBP works at the border and ports of entry; ICE works inside the country.

Official sources

  1. ICE: Official siteice.gov
  2. ICE: SEVISice.gov

General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.