Fact Check: Immigration and Customs Enforcement will become the largest law enforcement agency in the country.

Fact Check: "Immigration and Customs Enforcement will become the largest law enforcement agency in the country."

What We Know

The claim that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will become the largest law enforcement agency in the United States is misleading. Currently, the largest law enforcement agency is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which has been recognized as such in various official communications. For instance, a recent update from CBP states that it is "the largest law enforcement agency in the United States." In contrast, ICE has approximately 20,000 law enforcement and support personnel, as noted in their official description.

Furthermore, while there have been discussions and proposals regarding increasing ICE's budget and personnel, such as those mentioned in a recent GOP budget bill, these do not equate to ICE becoming the largest agency. The current operational scale and personnel numbers of ICE do not position it to surpass CBP in size or scope.

Analysis

The assertion that ICE will become the largest law enforcement agency lacks substantial evidence. The primary source of this claim seems to stem from political discussions and proposed budget increases, rather than concrete changes in personnel or operational capacity. For example, while the GOP budget proposal suggests an increase in ICE's budget, it does not guarantee an increase in personnel that would allow ICE to surpass CBP's current standing as the largest agency (Snopes).

Moreover, the statistics regarding ICE's operational challenges, such as a reported 500% increase in assaults against agents (DHS report), highlight the difficulties the agency faces rather than its growth trajectory. This context suggests that ICE's current focus is more on addressing operational safety rather than expanding its size to become the largest law enforcement entity.

In terms of source reliability, the official statements from CBP and ICE provide credible information about their respective sizes and missions. However, political commentary and budget proposals should be approached with caution, as they may reflect aspirations rather than actual changes.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that Immigration and Customs Enforcement will become the largest law enforcement agency in the country is not supported by current facts. As it stands, CBP remains the largest agency, and while ICE may see budget increases, there is no evidence to suggest it will surpass CBP in size or operational capacity.

Fact Check: Immigration and Customs Enforcement will become the largest law enforcement agency in the country.