U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Why in News?

The Trump administration has revived a stalled contract with Israel-based Paragon Solutions, giving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to spyware Graphite, sparking concerns over surveillance misuse, privacy violations, and potential targeting of activists, journalists, and undocumented immigrants.

Description:

• Full form: Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Agency of: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (est. 2003 after 9/11).
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
• Primary Role: Enforces immigration laws, prevents illegal migration, combats cross-border crime.

Functions of ICE:

1. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO):
   1. Identifies, arrests, detains, and deports individuals illegally present in the U.S.
   1. Manages detention centers.
2. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI):
   1. Investigates transnational crimes – human trafficking, cybercrimes, arms & drug smuggling, financial fraud.
3. International Operations:
   1. Works with foreign governments (e.g., India) on deportations, intelligence, and anti-trafficking cooperation.

Recent Trends (2024–25):

• Mass deportations:
  • June–Oct 2024: 1.6 lakh individuals deported to 145+ countries.
  • 2025: Deportations of Indians increased; use of military aircraft for repatriation.
• Target groups: Indians (Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat) form a large undocumented immigrant group (~7.25 lakh in U.S.).
• Surveillance: Access to spyware Graphite (2025) raised concerns of expanded crackdown.

ICE and India:

• India among top deportee-receiving countries.
• Cooperation under India-U.S. Migration Dialogue (2025) for humane deportation, quicker verification of detainees.
• Issues: Harsh treatment of deportees, allegations of human rights violations, pressure on India to accept deported nationals.

Concerns & Criticism:

• Civil rights groups: accuse ICE of violating due process and human rights.
• Treatment of migrants: handcuffs, restricted facilities, overcrowded detention centers.
• Political issue: Deportations fuel anti-immigrant sentiment and strain U.S. diplomatic ties.

La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.

FOLLOW US ON:

◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam

◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS

◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/

GET IN TOUCH:

Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/

or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140

OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020

Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524,  Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081

Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040