Foreign Operations

Attaché Offices

The role of the ICE attaché includes conducting and coordinating ICE investigations and supporting Detention and Removal Operations (DRO), Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS), Office of Intelligence, Air and Marine Operations (AMO), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Bureau of Transportation and Safety (BTS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) missions overseas.

The ICE attachés are responsible for the investigation and enforcement, both criminal and civil, of violations involving Titles 8,18, 19, 22, 31, 49 and 50 of the United States Code (to include enforcement of laws via Memorandum of Understanding for U.S. Secret Service, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of State, Consumer Protection & Safety Commission, etc.), and any other matter as directed by the DHS Secretary.

These areas of responsibility are traditionally thought of in terms of:

a.	Alien smuggling and human trafficking
b.	Contraband smuggling (imported and exported merchandise)
c.	Money laundering violations, including bulk cash smuggling, hawalas, Black Market Peso Exchange and traditional money laundering schemes
d.	Illegal export or diversion of controlled U.S. technology
e.	Illegal export/import of conventional weapons
f.	Illegal export/import of military equipment and WMD related technology
g.	Trade fraud violations, including Intellectual Property Rights, tobacco smuggling, forced child labor, prison labor, quota evasion, textile transshipment, anti-dumping duty evasion and other traditional customs fraud schemes
h.	Illegal import/export of cultural property, stolen artwork and other items
i.	Child pornography, sex tourism and child exploitation
j.	Prime Bank Instrument fraud
k.	Document and benefit fraud
l.	Facilitation of repatriations
m.	International fugitive investigations
n.	Extradition of criminal suspects to the United States
o.	Genocide and human rights investigations
p.	Investigations of document counterfeiters/printers overseas
q.	Interdiction operations at foreign airports
r.	Extra-territorial prosecution for violations against the United States
s.	Repatriations of third country fugitives

OIA assists host-country counterparts in the development and implementation of legislation and regulations; provides training to foreign officials; responds to government and public requests for trade, travel and business information; supports the implementation of treaties, agreements and international cooperative programs. Acquiring and developing intelligence related to cross-border criminal activity is also important to OIA’s mission.

Foreign Operations organized the world into three geographical areas:

The Americas (North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean), Africa, Europe and the Middle East (AEM/E), Asia.

The headquarters operation staff consists of the respective area desk officers. They are responsible for coordinating and assisting the attaché offices on their day-to-day administrative and operational issues. This includes conducting office visits and self-inspections, coordinating regional attaché conferences, assisting with travel, relocations and providing support on specific case issues. The desk officers also act as liaisons for the domestic offices and headquarters in the coordination of investigations and other ICE operational areas. Assistance and guidance for country clearance and foreign travel authorization for most ICE elements is provided.

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