The Biden administration faced resistance from sanctuary cities and decided to revamp Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the government’s immigration law enforcement agency. HSI, previously part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sought to highlight its broader investigative mandate beyond immigration cases.
Under the leadership of Katrina W. Berger, HSI aimed to emphasize its global reach and authority in handling a wide range of cases, including drugs, gangs, human trafficking, terrorism, and counterfeit goods. To signal this shift, HSI launched a new website, HSI.gov, distinct from ICE’s online presence.
However, this rebranding didn’t fully sever ties with ICE, a step some HSI agents had pushed for. Such a separation would necessitate congressional action, given HSI’s inception as part of ICE after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Agents within HSI had long voiced dissatisfaction with being linked to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), responsible for deportation. Many sanctuary jurisdictions had been reluctant to collaborate with HSI on investigations, fearing association with ICE. Some cities had enacted laws restricting cooperation with ICE.
While ERO employees appreciated HSI’s effort to redefine its identity, some viewed it as a defiant gesture. Daniel A. Bible, head of ERO, reiterated the agency’s commitment to its mission and values, stressing professionalism, compassion, and integrity.
Criticism of ICE had escalated, particularly during the Trump administration, with calls to “Defund ICE” gaining traction among left-leaning politicians, including then-Senator Kamala Harris. She had likened ICE to the Ku Klux Klan, citing concerns about its treatment of migrants, especially those from Mexico and Central America.
During his tenure, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed HSI’s concerns about its association with ICE. He emphasized the need for educating both city officials and the general public about ICE’s mission and operations.
Despite the rebranding effort, skepticism lingered about HSI’s role and effectiveness, particularly in gaining cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions. Jon Feere, a former ICE official, believed that sanctuary cities were unlikely to alter their stance on immigration enforcement, regardless of HSI’s branding.
Feere also highlighted the increased workload for HSI due to the Biden administration’s handling of border issues, including cases of migrant child labor and immigration fraud.
The new HSI website reflected this broader focus, with immigration enforcement being just one of fourteen areas listed under “What we investigate.” Notably, the immigration aspect primarily targeted cartel-led smuggling operations.
In fiscal year 2023, HSI reported significant accomplishments, including 33,108 criminal arrests, the seizure of 1.2 million pounds of narcotics, and assistance in cases involving 731 victims of human trafficking. These figures underscored HSI’s multifaceted role in combating various criminal activities beyond immigration enforcement.