Ice was created in 2003 as part of the reorganization that formed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States, consolidating multiple agencies under a single umbrella and taking over the enforcement functions of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and related entities. This creation followed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, enacted in response to the September 11 attacks.
If you’re looking for more context:
- The Homeland Security Act of 2002 reorganized U.S. federal security and enforcement functions and established DHS as a cabinet-level department.
- ICE began operations in March 2003, absorbing agencies like the U.S. Customs Service’s enforcement components and INS to handle interior enforcement, investigations, and removal operations.
