ICE Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security (ACCESS)

ICE Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security (ACCESS) provides local law enforcement agencies an opportunity to team with ICE to combat specific challenges in their communities. ICE developed the ACCESS program based on experience gained in responding to widespread interest from state and local law enforcement agencies in the Delegation of Immigration Authority—287(g) program. ICE ACCESS coordinates an umbrella of services and programs.

ICE agents and officers will meet with agencies requesting ICE ACCESS assistance to assess local needs and to draft appropriate plans of action. Based upon these assessments, ICE and local agencies will determine which type of partnership is most beneficial and sustainable before entering into an official agreement.

Law enforcement agencies interested in reviewing the enforcement programs under the ICE ACCESS program are encouraged to call their local ICE office or visit www.ice.gov for more information.

ICE ACCESS Support and Programs

Asset Forfeiture/Equitable Sharing

Asset Forfeiture is a powerful tool used by ICE and other law enforcement agencies to seize assets used by criminal organizations in their illicit enterprises or acquired through criminal activity. Under the related equitable sharing program, federal, state and local law enforcement partners and foreign governments working with ICE in joint investigations can be eligible to receive a portion of the proceeds of a federal forfeiture, fostering greater partnership and cooperation among agencies.

Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BESTs)

BESTs work cooperatively with other law enforcement entities to develop a comprehensive approach to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations posing significant threats to border security. BEST forces are currently located in Arizona, California, Texas and Washington. Plans include expansion to Buffalo, New York.

Criminal Alien Program (CAP)

CAP focuses on identifying criminal aliens who are incarcerated within federal, state and local facilities, securing a final order of removal prior to the termination of their sentences so that they will not be released into the community.

Customs Cross-Designation

Section 1401 (I) of Title 19 United States Code enables federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement officers who participate in ICE task force operations to be cross-designated as customs officers with authority to enforce U.S. customs law. These officers supplement ICE’s investigative mission to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations by combating narcotics smuggling; money laundering; human smuggling and trafficking; and fraud related activities.

Delegation of Immigration Authority—287(g)

The 287(g) program cross-designates state and local officers to enforce immigration law as authorized through section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Scores of state, county and municipal agencies nationwide have requested 287(g) memorandums of agreement with ICE and hundreds of officers have been trained under the program.

Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces (DBFTFs)

DBFTFs target, dismantle and seize illicit proceeds of criminal organizations that exploit the immigration process through fraud. DBFTFs provide an effective platform from which to launch anti-fraud initiatives using existing manpower and authorities.Through DBFTFs, ICE partners with other federal agencies, state and local law enforcement. DBFTFs are located in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Paul, San Francisco, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

Fugitive Operation Teams (FOTs)

FOTs identify, locate, apprehend, process and remove fugitive aliens from the United States with the highest priority placed on those fugitives who have been convicted of crimes. Further, the FOTs’ goal is to eliminate the backlog of fugitives and see that the number of aliens deported equals the number of final orders of removal issued by immigration courts in any given year. ICE relies on the assistance of all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in this endeavor.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

The ICE-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center is the government's central point of contact in the fight against IPR violations and the flow of counterfeit goods into U.S. commerce.The center operates as a multi-agency facility responsible for coordinating a unified response regarding IPR enforcement issues. Core staffing is provided by investigative and intelligence personnel from ICE. Particular emphasis is given to protecting the public health and safety of consumers, investigating major criminal organizations engaged in transnational intellectual property crimes, and pursuing the illegal proceeds derived from the manufacture and sale of counterfeit merchandise.

Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC)

The LESC provides timely, accurate information and assistance to the federal, state and local law enforcement, corrections and court system communities on immigration status and identity information on aliens suspected, arrested or convicted of criminal activity. Electronic access to LESC records is available through the Immigration Alien Query screen on the International Justice and Public Safety Network.

Operation Community Shield

In February 2005, ICE launched Operation Community Shield, a national law enforcement initiative that brings all of ICE’s law enforcement powers to bear in the fight against violent gangs that threatening the public safety of our communities. Operation Community Shield is part of a comprehensive approach of working with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state and local level to combat transnational gangs. Under this initiative, ICE is using its broad authorities, both criminal and administrative, against gangs and gang members. This authority includes conducting investigations involving narcotics and human smuggling, money laundering and racketeering violations.

Operation Firewall

The smuggling of bulk currency out of the U.S. has become a preferred method of moving illicit proceeds across our borders. To combat the increasing use of Bulk Cash Smuggling (BCS) by criminal
organizations, the ICE Financial, Narcotics and Public Safety Division and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations,Tactical Operations Division, developed a joint strategic BCS initiative referred to as Operation Firewall, which began in August 2005, and has expanded through FY06 and FY07. Operation Fire-wall has resulted in the seizure of more than $80 million in U.S. currency and negotiable instruments.

Operation Predator

Operation Predator is a program designed to identify, investigate and, as appropriate, administratively deport child predators. ICE routinely coordinates and integrates investigative efforts with law enforcement partners, in order to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved in international pedophilic groups or who derive proceeds from commercial child exploitation ventures.

Secure Communities

Secure Communities is an ICE initiative that focuses federal resources on assisting local communities by identifying and removing high-risk criminal aliens held in state and local prisons through the use of technology and information sharing among law enforcement agencies.The cornerstone of the initiative is the sharing of biometric data between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure time-sensitive screening of all foreign-born detainees and identification of criminal aliens. Secure Communities brings together the expertise and commitment from all parts of ICE, the interagency community, and state and local law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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