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Understanding United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Its Purpose and Functions
Definition & Meaning
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a key agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It serves as the enforcement arm responsible for upholding immigration and customs laws in the United States. ICE's primary focus is to ensure national security and public safety by enforcing these laws. The agency also manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks international students and exchange visitors in the U.S. With a workforce of over 19,000 employees globally, ICE plays a crucial role in border security and immigration enforcement.
Table of content
Legal Use & context
ICE is involved in various legal contexts, primarily concerning immigration law and border security. It operates in areas such as:
Enforcement of immigration laws
Customs enforcement
Detention and deportation proceedings
Monitoring of international students and exchange visitors
Individuals may encounter ICE-related legal processes when dealing with immigration applications, deportation hearings, or customs violations. Users can leverage legal templates from US Legal Forms to navigate these situations effectively.
Key legal elements
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: An individual who overstays their visa may be subject to deportation proceedings initiated by ICE.
Example 2: A student on a temporary visa may need to provide information to ICE through SEVIS to maintain their legal status in the U.S. (hypothetical example).
Relevant laws & statutes
ICE operates under various laws, including:
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
Homeland Security Act of 2002
Customs and Border Protection laws
Comparison with related terms
Term
Definition
Difference
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
A federal agency responsible for border security and customs enforcement.
ICE focuses on immigration enforcement, while CBP handles border security and customs inspections.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States.