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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency last week announced a series of changes aimed at enhancing its capabilities to find and oust illegal immigrants from the United States. However, the announcement was sparse on details about how many staff members and how much funding would be necessary.

ICE's announcement came on the heels of nearly 1,500 arrests nationwide of illegal immigrants and employers who allegedly tried to deceive government officials.

Citing expanding investigations, growing numbers of illegal aliens and a perceived lack of legislative support for some initiatives, ICE said on Monday it would need a budget increase of $176.7 million in fiscal 2007, in part to add more than 200 full-time staffers. But the agency's announcement did not specify the staffing levels and funding requirements necessary for the specific enforcement initiatives, and the agency was unable to provide further details Monday.

For example, ICE said its Vermont-based Law Enforcement Support Center, which provides 24-7 technology support to investigators coast to coast, would see its "capacities" expanded. But the statement did not say how much money, or how many people, would be required for the expansion. The center processed 1.3 million requests in the last two fiscal years, ICE said.

"Given that employers have no legal obligation to thoroughly investigate whether documents presented to them by new employees are valid or not, they often have a de facto defense," said ICE spokeswoman Ernestine Fobbs, explaining why the agency is forced to take up the slack in immigration investigations.

Homeland Security Department officials are backing the need for tighter enforcement, even as a charged political climate surrounds immigration reform proposals under consideration in Washington.

"Reversing growing tolerance for the employment of illegal aliens and for illegal immigration in general is critical to achieving success in this task," said ICE Assistant Secretary Julie Myers.

ICE will broaden the scope of its use of state and local correctional facilities to identify and deport illegal aliens, last week's announcement said. While a handful of agreements are already in place, the agency said "numerous" additional agreements with local and state correctional institutions are pending.

The agency's move to round up illegal immigrants is nothing new, although the effort is becoming more aggressive with requests for cooperation from state and local officials.

The agency also announced plans to expand its National Fugitive Operations Program teams by more than 50 percent. ICE credited its existing teams for arresting more than 40,000 illegal immigrants in just over three years. However, it noted, the number of "at large" aliens grows by more than 40,000 each year.

Aditionally, ICE called upon lawmakers to draft a bill to address Social Security abuse by illegal aliens.

COMMENTS

• ICE MAN- I've seen previous postings of yours and others stating that almost all of ICE and CBP management are Customs. Apparently you are not an investigator as an investigator does not assume anything. They do not rely solely on what is told to them. They obtain something called corroboration. "Information on Immigration Enforcement and Supervisory Promotions in the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, GAO-06-751R, June 13, 2006" Page 4 states that: In one promotional cycle, legacy INS agents received two thirds of the total supervisory promotions to the GS 14-15 level. In 2004, 200 GS-13 legacy INS supervisors received non-competitive promotions to GS 14 for pay parity. 2005 -- Legacy INS OI supervisors were at 34 percent, which is proportionate to the distribution of legacy INS agents within ICE In 2005, legacy INS received 36 percent of the promotions, which is proportionate to their distribution in ICE. From 1999-2003 INS investigations decreased by 14 percent (and had a 9 percent S/A attrition rate). From 2003 - 2005 immigration investigations rose by 18 percent. The report is the same for CBP. The former INS employees received pay raises, you have 3,000 former Customs agents performing your and DROs job, Congress is throwing more and more money toward immigration enforcement, and every single fiscal year ICE has tremendously increased funding to immigration programs and zero money to Customs' programs. You have more money now than you ever had to perform your duties and more people to help you do it. So, tell me, what the heck is your complaint? GovExec.com reader Posted June 21, 2006 6:14 PM
• ICE Man: Keep reading until you come to the ICE Clips on the Web site, and all you'll see are press releases touting enforcement of immigration laws. You rarely read anything about a customs-related investigation. Is that real enough for you? Regarding the "bios" you mention, those you are referring to are avid Kool-Aid drinkers, and are considered traitors by many of their former colleagues, for abandoning us while advancing their own careers, and not speaking up for Customs investigations. Thankfully, I am near the end of my career, and will not have to deal with this nonsense much longer, or those who are blissfully ignorant about how screwed up ICE is, like yourself. I guess misery does like company, so you should be really happy. By the way, enjoy your GS-13 while you can, because MaxHR and paybanding are coming on like a runaway train. GovExec.com reader Posted May 31, 2006 2:21 PM
• Immigration Controls Everything (ICE) huh? Maybe "Counting Down to Retirement" should check out the ICE Web site and read the bios of all those immigration hacks that are running ICE. Not!!!! There are three legacy INS people in ranking positions in headquarters and none of these people are responsible for running the agency. Helping screw it up, maybe!! Get real Mr. Waiting for Retirement, or better yet, get out. ICE man GovExec.com reader Posted May 23, 2006 5:11 PM