ICE Agent
ICE - US Immigration & Customs Enforcement
ICE Agents play an important role in national & homeland security.
Broadly speaking, the ICE oversees border protection, immigration issues, critical infrastructure security, international transportation, and the former economic management of the US Customs. ICE falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Within the ICE, the old functions of the INS are now split between several subdivisions and interacting players.
The primary job functions of those working for the ICE & USCIS
- Deportation process for illegal immigrants
- Investigation & arrest of illegal immigrants & human trafficking operations
- Special investigation of national security threats
- Maintenance of ICE Detention Centers
- Interface with local, state, and other federal agencies
Degree Requirements for ICS / INS Agents
How do you become an ICE agent, what education & training do you need? While there is no specific degree required to become an ICE or immigration and naturalization officer, a bachelor's degree is usually mandatory. A bachelor's in homeland security, criminal justice, corrections, or law enforcement is recommended for those seeking careers in immigration & naturalization. While pursuing your degree, it is helpful to seek our elective courses in a foreign language. While speaking multiple languages can be helpful for positions in immigration, there are still several opportunities for those who don't.
| Career Path | Recommended Degrees |
| INS Agent - ICE Agent | criminal justice, homeland security, political science immigration law concentration, foreign language |
Departments & Subdivisions
ICE - U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement- Investigations & intelligence responsibilities that fell under the former INS
- Deportation and ERO (Enforcement & Removal Operations)
- Immigration services for permanent residency, naturalization, and asylum
- Goal of reducing immigration backlogs while maintaining national security
- Now in charge of the border protection functions of the old INS
- Tasked with catching those attempting to enter the US illegally
The newly formed departments now interact with other departments including local law enforcement, the Federal Protective Service, and Federal Air Marshals. The goal being to create a synergistic team effort to find, apprehend, and carry out administrative functions, which the former INS attempted to accomplish all on it's own.
FAQ's
What is the function of the Enforcement & Removal Operations (ERO)?
One major subdivision of the ICE is the ERO (Enforcement & Removal Operations), which enforces hundreds of federal laws pertaining to illegal activities of foreigners in the United States. The ERO has relationships with embassies all over the world and seeks to employ those who are proficient in multiple languages.
What is the new structure of the INS? Who does what now?
After 2003, the functions of the INS were split to multiple agencies. Currently, the following agencies carry out the functions of the old INS:
Immigration USCIS & ICE Special Agent Job Duties (Formerly INS Agent)
Most of the immigration related jobs are tasked with enforcing illegal immigration laws as well human trafficking, and other illegal immigrant related activities. The ICE is in charge of several detention centers in the country that employ deportation officers and detention personnel who hold individuals suspected of criminal intent, illegal aliens, and human traffickers which go through a process of official removal if proper citizenship, work permits, or other acceptable circumstantial papers have not been issued.
