Which division of ICE is responsible for immigration enforcement?

The division of ICE responsible for immigration enforcement is Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). ERO plays a critical role in the identification, apprehension, and removal of individuals who are in the United States unlawfully. This division executes various operational missions focused on executing immigration laws, including apprehending individuals with final orders of removal, targeting individuals for deportation who pose a national security threat, and conducting worksite enforcement operations.

This functional mandate allows ERO to focus specifically on immigration violations and the enforcement of immigration laws, making it the central unit within ICE for such activities. In contrast, other divisions, such as Homeland Security Investigations, focus on other types of enforcement, including customs, trade compliance, and criminal investigations related to violations of immigration laws but not specifically the apprehension and removal processes. The Emergency Services Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation function outside the core mission of ICE regarding immigration enforcement, with different objectives and responsibilities.