What is ICE?
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement; it was formed in 2002 to enforce immigration laws and investigate international criminal operations and organizations. Enforcement of the immigration laws include detaining and deporting individuals who violate those laws. The international investigations focus on crimes such as the illegal trade of drugs, weapons, goods, and smuggling or trafficking of humans.
What is the Issue with ICE?
In the recent years since the United States 2016 election, ICE increased their enforcement efforts dramatically, with a 42% increase in arrests from 2016 to 2017. The president also signed an executive order prioritizing the removal of individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. This resulted in families being separated, life-long residents being arrested or detained (even if they had never been outside of the country), as well as individuals who became a legal resident in the past if they have a criminal history.
This type of enforcement program threatens civil liberties such as one's right to a fair hearing in a court, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, the constitutional guarantee of due process, and the constitutional guarantee of equal protection and freedom from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and national origin.
This type of enforcement program threatens civil liberties such as one's right to a fair hearing in a court, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, the constitutional guarantee of due process, and the constitutional guarantee of equal protection and freedom from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and national origin.
More Information and Resources
- The ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project is dedicated to expanding and enforcing the civil liberties and civil rights of immigrants and to combating public and private discrimination against them.
- The Abolish ICE Movement, Explained
- What Democrats Actually Mean by 'Abolish ICE'