Fact Check: "ICE has two main divisions: HSI and ERO."
What We Know
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is divided into two primary divisions: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). According to the ICE organizational structure, HSI is responsible for investigating a wide range of criminal activities, including immigration violations, while ERO focuses on enforcing immigration laws by identifying, arresting, and removing individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States.
The Enforcement and Removal Operations division specifically manages the custody and removal of individuals who are subject to deportation. It is tasked with upholding U.S. immigration laws and prioritizing individuals who pose a risk to national security or public safety. HSI, on the other hand, conducts investigations into various crimes, including human trafficking and drug smuggling, as outlined in their headquarters office description.
Analysis
The claim that ICE has two main divisions—HSI and ERO—is supported by multiple credible sources. The official ICE website clearly delineates the roles of HSI and ERO, confirming their status as the two primary operational divisions. The PDF on ICE structure and functions further elaborates on the responsibilities of each division, reinforcing the claim's accuracy.
In contrast, some sources may present information about ICE in a broader context, such as discussing organizational changes or operational challenges, but they do not dispute the existence of these two divisions. For instance, an article from AP News discusses recent changes within ICE but does not contradict the division structure, instead focusing on the agency's operational goals and challenges.
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include official government publications and reputable news organizations. The ICE website is the authoritative source for information about the agency's structure, while AP News is known for its journalistic integrity and fact-based reporting.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that ICE has two main divisions—HSI and ERO—is accurate. Both divisions play distinct but complementary roles in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, as confirmed by multiple credible sources.
