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What We Investigate

What We Investigate

ICE investigates crime on a global scale — at home, abroad, and online — to prevent harm to you locally. We stop crime at the source, keeping the public safe and holding criminals accountable.

Across the country and around the world, ICE special agents launch and pursue investigations into transnational crime and violations of the customs and immigration laws of the United States.

ICE’s investigations are diverse and wide-ranging. We conduct federal criminal investigations into the illegal movement of people, goods, money, contraband, weapons and sensitive technology into, out of and through the United States.

We stop crime at the source, keeping the public safe and holding criminals accountable.

Our cases often start by looking into individuals who violate U.S. laws. But we don’t stop there – ICE builds complex cases against the most sophisticated criminal networks that operate globally and pose the greatest threat to our security.

We also play a crucial role in investigating crimes of exploitation. This includes combating child exploitation, human trafficking, financial fraud and scams and other crimes against vulnerable populations.

HSI investigates the following types of crime

Child Exploitation

HSI is a global leader in the fight to combat child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable population in our society.

Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities Smuggling

The smuggling of cultural property, art & antiquities is a global crime that enables criminals to profit off stolen history, launder money & fund terrorism.

Cybercrime

Cyber criminals operate all around the world & have both financial & at times political motivations behind their illegal acts.

Financial Crime

Most criminals commit crime to make money. Once they do, they have to hide or legitimize those funds. Criminals exploit you & our financial systems for profit.

Human Rights Violations and War Crimes

HSI investigates violations of U.S. laws that criminalize torture, war crimes, recruitment & use of child soldiers, female genital mutilation & genocide, as well as the fraud that often occurs when violators attempt to illegally enter or remain in the U.S.

Human Smuggling

Human smuggling is a multibillion-dollar industry for transnational criminal organizations that take advantage of vulnerable people & do not value human safety.

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a global crime that generally takes two forms: sex trafficking & forced labor. Traffickers use various methods to control & exploit their victims.

Identity and Benefit Fraud

Criminals steal & invent false identity documents to gain access to the U.S. & to defraud the government of various benefits, posing serious threats national security & public safety.

Illicit Technology Procurement and Sanctions Violations

HSI stands at the forefront of the U.S. government’s counter-proliferation mission.

Intellectual Property Theft and Trade Fraud

IP theft & trade fraud are not victimless crimes. Criminals take advantage of people looking for a good deal & steal proprietary information from American businesses.

Narcotics Smuggling

America is facing a public health emergency, with drug overdoses claiming more than one million lives since 1999. Accidental opioid overdose is the leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45.

Terrorism and National Security Threats

Terrorist organizations, adversary nations & other national security threat actors aim to disrupt our way of life & weaken our country. They conduct & support terrorist acts, espionage & other activities directed against Americans & our interests, both at home & abroad.

Transnational Gangs

Transnational criminal gangs threaten public safety in communities throughout the U.S. These gangs strike fear into our local neighborhoods, commit violent crimes against our citizens, & facilitate criminal activity such as narcotics & firearms trafficking, murder, extortion & corruption.

Weapons Trafficking

Criminal organizations & other dangerous groups operating around the world need weapons. They use them to advance their illegal enterprises, to assert fear & control over others, to eliminate rivals & to resist government operations to stop them.

Wildlife Trafficking

Protecting our natural resources is yet another way that HSI works to ensure the safety & well-being of our country. HSI investigates the illegal supplying, selling & trafficking of plants & animals.

Worksite Enforcement Investigations

Worksite enforcement investigations focus on reducing illegal employment, holding employers accountable and protecting employment opportunities for the country's lawful workforce.

HSI Insider - Our Operations and Initiatives

  • Strategic Safety Operations

    Strategic Safety Operations

    HSI is the federal coordinator for Super Bowl LIX. We are working with hundreds of local, state, federal and private industry partners to secure the event to ensure the fans can focus on the game.

    Learn about HSI's Public Safety Operations

  • Tackling the Rise of Gift Card Fraud

    Tackling the Rise of Gift Card Fraud

    HSI is teaming up with our law enforcement partners and retailers to raise awareness of how Chinese organized crime groups are exploiting gift cards to launder money.

    Learn the Signs and How to Report Gift Card Fraud

  • Protect Yourself Against Romance Scams

    Protect Yourself Against Romance Scams

    "Beatrice" speaks to HSI about her experience being the target of an online romance scam. Learn the signs and how HSI works to combat criminal organizations involved in theses scams.

    Read "Beatrice's" Story and Learn How to Protect Yourself

View all featured ops and initiatives

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