GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Merger of immigration, customs agents causes friction

• 7458
  

  Unfortunately, legacy customs agents like to make negative comments about legacy INS agent. Legacy INS are probably not around at 5PM because we are usually up at 4-5am making arrests and conducting investigations. I have tried asking the legacy custom agents to help out on occasion -- but I never seem to have any luck getting a legacy customs agent up early in the morning. One other note, legacy INS agents never have a team/group of agents to do one criminal case. The legacy INS agent can do a complex criminal case case along with numerous other tasks. We also didn't have criminal investigations/leads handed to us by inspectors.

  Sr Special Agent Immigration Posted December 8, 2004 8:30 PM
• 5570
  

  So, of all the INS agents out there, how many have actually earned a college degree as well as complete Criminal Investigator Training at FLETC? I have heard from several legacy Customs employees around the country who report that they can not even get a legacy INS agent to work after 5 pm on a surveillance. I am impressed.

  Sr Special Agent, Customs HQ Posted July 24, 2004 2:35 AM
• 5369
  

  As far as hashing out which agents are better, I think everyone is missing the picture: Customs was a well-oiled machine and everyone knows it. We all know that there are disgruntled employees in every profession but for the most part, agents from all of the other federal agencies transferred INTO Customs because it had such a great reputation and varied investigative authority. In my career, I have only seen a handful leave. We were the premier agency for drug smuggling, child pornography, fraud, asset forfeiture, etc. Customs had no deficiencies to speak of and didn't deserve to be torn apart and forced to change all kinds of administrative systems/procedures/policies that were already working properly! Now, we are a bigger mess than anyone would've dreamed. We are experiencing a budget crisis like never before. There is a hiring freeze. There is no money for anything, including travel and investigative needs. We are using the INS' outdated and archaic admin. systems and our budget and admin staffs are at their wits end because they claim that they are having to "rob Peter to pay Paul" for purchases and to pay office bills. Our office had it's pagers and other services TURNED OFF off after over 4 months of non-payment after being forced to use Legacy INS finance offices. How embarrassing!

  To make matters worse, we are told that "if there is any question about the policies/procedures, we are to adopt/implement the INS way". A more responsible and common sense approach would be to solicit comments/opinions from those who have been doing the jobs. Nothing personal against Mr. Garcia but he has shown nothing but arrogance since he was appointed. He lacks the experience and expertise to right these wrongs.

  If you really want to bring attention to these issues, use your local liberal media to get the word out. Congress clearly isn't listening!

  Senior Special Agent Posted July 9, 2004 6:12 PM
• 5368
  

  In a matter of 16 months, Congress managed to make an even bigger mess of the already problem-ridden INS. They declared it "abolished" as a political ploy but, in truth, not much has changed.

  I don't fault the INS for this merger. The problem is that these colossal decisions were made without even so much as a questionnaire being sent to anyone in the field, asking for opinions from those of us that are actually doing the jobs! These were political decisions that will never be reversed because doing so would mean that our government/politicians would have to admit failure.

  Before this merger, most of us RARELY worked with the INS on any cases (other than at the borders), yet this merger was sold to us by Mr. Ridge on the basis of our agencies "close and similar investigative work". Our missions couldn't have been any more different. Before, I never had an opinion about INS' organization. However, I recently attended our "cross-over INS training" and was appalled at what I learned. Basically, there have been NO REFORMS WHATSOEVER since 9/11. We were told that the majority of political asylum claims are bogus (yet 30% of the petitioners are approved to stay here), there is widespread marriage fraud going on and that having illegals deported was a nearly impossible task, due to the liberal INS administrative law judges. This should be concerning to all. Isn't anyone paying attention? If the public truly wants our immigration problems (backlog) solved, trying to break up/shuffle around the various arms of Legacy INS is not the answer. The answer is to put an IMMEDIATE halt on immigration and fast! But this is a political hot potato and even President Bush wants to allow "amnesty" to most ILLEGAL immigrants, which is utterly ridiculous.

  Senior Special Agent (Legacy Customs) Posted July 9, 2004 6:11 PM
• 5042
  

  I am beside myself regarding the utter lack of direction and corporate identity in which I currently work as an ICE Agent. Speaking of which, who is the marketing genius behind the acronym "ICE"?

  This agency is an utter failure: created to prevent/combat terrorism, yet prohited from working as the lead on such cases (i.e., abolishing of GreenQuest and the MOA); 1.5 years and no new credentials/badge; already experiencing budget woes leading to a hiring freeze and juggling of funds to pay employees, etc...

  Garcia and company do not have the experience, nor the understanding of how to manage an agency of 15,000. Where is the mission focus (USCS, INS, FAMS, FPS)? Where is the accountability? There is virtually no communication filtering down from the troops and this is leading to confusion and wild rumours. Moral (with legacy Customs Agents) is dangerously low. I have been trying to "sit it out" to see how this merger unfolds, but I am not hopeful in that we have yet to even settle on a name (first BICE, then US ICE, now possibly U.S. Investigations and Criminal Enforcement...which is better, but which betgs the question of whether we are are we a bureau, service, or....?)

  Where is the outcry from Congress? Many of my colleagues have written their reps. with little or no educated replies. If the public only knew what was happening...hello 60 minutes...are you reading this?

  ICE is a sinking ship in need of repair and a new Captain.

  -"one frustrated federal agent" who wants to simply protect his country.

  One Frustrated Federal Agent Posted June 14, 2004 10:15 PM
• 2050
  

  As a legacy INS agent and former border patrol agent, I have a hard time disputing much of what has been said by legacy Customs folks about INS and its people. There is no doubt that INS was an ineffective outfit. I have always said that this was due, in large part, to the negative politics of the overall mission of INS. After all, once an alien gets about 20 miles north of the border, he is no longer an alien. He is then a constituent. This attitute contributed to the failure to fund and staff INS adequately.

  Additionally, it is factual to state that some INS agents don't do criminal investigations. With some agents, this is a matter of choice. Others never have the opportunity because they are bogged down with one administrative priority after another, i.e., worksite enforcement, ACAP, NSEERS, etc.

  I do take offense, however, when I hear INS agents as a group categorized as "not real agents", "not adequately trained" etc. INS agents who work anti-smuggling and immigration fraud cases have had to do so much with so little for so long, they are some of the most resourcefull, effective 1811s in the federal government. I challenge any legacy Customs agent to find a legacy INS anti-smuggling agent with the same amount of time under his belt. Start comparing the number of criminal arrests, search warrants, criminal complaints, grand jury appearances, court appearances, etc. Compare the number of witnesses and suspects interrogated. (Incidentally, most of these interviews are done in a foreign language.) Then go to the local U.S. Attorney's office. Pick any AUSA at random. Ask that AUSA to name every Customs agent he knows, then ask him to name every INS agent he knows. I can probably predict the answer to that question, even though Customs agents outnumber us five to one in Houston.

  I haven't spent my career working my butt off just so I can be ridiculed and disrespected by our adopted brethren.

  ICE/HOU

  GovExec.com reader Posted November 5, 2003 4:13 PM
• 2035
  

  This merger is the pits. I just attended Secret Service training for the upcoming elections. This presented me an opportunity to finally meet legacy INS agents. Having met them, I just applied for the FBI. Merging high school-educated INS agents with college-educated Customs agents will not work. Finding an illegal alien is not a complex investigation.

  Customs Agent
  Los Angeles

  GovExec.com reader Posted November 4, 2003 11:25 PM
• 2016
  

  Here's an idea for all those "ANGRY" whiney Customs agents, let's give Customs back to the Treasury Department or CBP, and give us back our Border Patrol, change ICE to Immigration and Criminal Enforcement under DHS. I bet we'll double or triple our stats in all investigative categories. To our partners in FAM's, FPS, SS glad to have you onboard. To Customs we have a saying in INS -- you catch'em, you clean'em.

  GovExec.com reader Posted November 1, 2003 7:07 PM
• 1998
  

  Wow! I am amazed at the amount of bickering among a group of so-called professional, federal agents. Will it take another September 11th type disaster before everyone realizes that the varied jobs that each federal agent performs is important? Yes, the American public should be appalled at the lack of mission of this newly formed agency. However, I think the American public would be more appalled to learn about the animosity among the people that we put our faith in to protect us. To the leaders at ICE: get it together quickly! To the agents of ICE: Grow up and learn to work together.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 30, 2003 1:32 PM
• 1986
  

  As a Customs agent and a former INS agent, in my opinion, Customs was sold down the river. We are not prima donna's or whiney but are angry because it seems like we are taking a step back. I left INS because INS was more concerned about how many people were naturalized rather than providing the resources for criminal investigations. As a customs agent, I never had to worry about being pulled from a criminal investigation to perform administrative investigations such as the Institutional Removal Program, Employer Sanctions and Alien Absconder Initiative. While all are important, none need a GS-13 to conduct them.

  To the INS agent from Tenn., thanks for your resume. You're lucky no one could take you up on your bet. I've worked in two big offices in INS and at least 75% never worked a criminal investigation. INS measured their success in the number of alien removed while Customs measured success on the amout of seizures and arrests (criminal not administrative). As for the kiddie porn comment, at least the investigations are criminal. Oh! and in case you weren't aware Customs made more drug and money seizures than any other agency which are also prosecuted criminally.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 29, 2003 9:54 PM
• 1977
  

  This article accurately reflects both the chaos and resultant paralysis currently dominating ICE. As a legacy Customs agent, I am truly appalled at this state of affairs. It is clear to me that the people who came up with this creation (ICE) really did not understand or comprehend the missions of the agencies now comprising ICE. This critical failure will continue to haunt ICE until the professionals, not the politicians, are allowed to call the shots on what is best for Homeland Security.

  We can't function, because the budget codes we've been given don't work. We can't properly investigate, because nobody knows if we are doing Customs work, INS work - or as the author quoted, "being the old INS with a sex-crimes unit". We cannot do the job, if we don't have a clear mission. Yes, Congress said that the INS was incompetent and dysfunctional. If so, then why was Customs sacrificed on the altar of INS' incompetence?

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 29, 2003 12:41 PM
• 1972
  

  Remove the Customs and INS names completely. As the investigative and enforcement arm of the department, the name should reflect that in its title. Investigation and Criminal Enforcement would fit and "ICE" could still be used.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 29, 2003 10:06 AM
• 1965
  

  To the ICE (INS) Agent in Los Angeles who posted a response, thank you very much for proving our point. No other words could possible express why we are GS-13 level investigators and you are, and should remain, GS-12 level.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 28, 2003 1:20 PM
• 1963
  

  The comments presented here reflect basic failures of ICE in its initial formation:

  - ICE has yet to establish or promote a unified corporate culture. As a result, both former INS and Customs agents feel beseiged. - ICE, as an agency, lacks coherence - Customs, INS, FPS and Air Marshals... Where is the coherent mission there? - ICE HQ has failed to keep the rank and file informed on many issues - from pay parity to actual merging, as a result, rumors fly... This is bad for moral and erodes internal confidence. Conspiracy theories abound.

  It is easy to say Customs took over INS or that INS took over Customs. Both statements have elements of truth. The reality is that both INS and Customs investigations, along with Detention and Removal, FPS, AMO and the Air Marshals were thrown in a bureaucratic box and called ICE. Our real problem is that no one, including Garcia, took us over. If they did, we would probably have actual administrative and operational direction...

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 28, 2003 12:27 PM
• 1962
  

  The hostile reaction of whiney and prima donna Customs personnel to the merger with the despised INS shows the lack of comprehension of the complexity of the task that INS always had, which was far beyond that which Customs ever dealt with. Customs is about things, INS is about people. No one worries about things being smuggled into the country the way they worry about illegal aliens being a drain their neighborhoods, schools and social services, or the way they look proudly back at their ancestors who were immigrants. There is no social conflict over smuggling stuff, but how to treat the issues of immigration is a central struggle that goes to the very heart of what it means to be an American. I am less than impressed with what I have seen of the vaunted competence of Customs as compared to INS.

  Mostly I see a bunch of prima donnas with a severe attitude problem, who have less than no interest in meeting anyone else halfway. The challenge that Defense faced in getting the Army and Navy to cooperate pales in comparison. Customs needs to get a grip and deal with their new reality, and stop whining so much or this agency will live up to all their worst expectations, and it will be their own fault.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 28, 2003 12:18 PM
• 1950
  

  The American public has been sold a bill of goods. An agency with 214 years of tradition, honor and service to this country, the U.S. Customs Service, was obliterated, while the FBI and CIA, which really dropped the ball on 9/11, were rewarded with budget and personnel increases. The legislation creating DHS specified that the INS, a dysfunctional agency for years, was to be remade, but Customs, an agency which did many things well, was also eliminated. The leadership of ICE, Garcia and Dougherty, are both from INS, and married to FBI agents. Talk about a conflict of interest! This is all window dressing, and it has weakened America, not strengthened her. I have more than 23 years with Customs, and survived the loss of my office at 6 World Trade Center on 9/11. My morale, like that of most of my colleagues, is at rock bottom now. Congress created this monster, and must now act to fix what has gone awry!!!

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 27, 2003 11:47 AM
• 1937
  

  As a legacy INS Special Agent, me and my fellow INS Agents, have found that this so-called merger has been a hostile takeover by Customs.

  We have had to bend to Customs' ways. Yes, the spoiled, rude, obnoxious Customs agents had to change over to the INS pay system and travel system, but the INS Agents have had to change to the customs way on everything else.

  We were promised that on October 2003, we would receive our GS-13's. The word is that now, we have to go back to the academy and become Customs agents. Then be evaluated, only then would we receive our GS-13 grade. I have been in INS for 15 years, 12 of which at the GS-12 level and Customs is still promoting people to GS-13 after only 5 years.

  There is a feeling of hostility towards the INS agents from the Customs agents. In fact, Custom's management, in a way helps to create this hostile working condition. When INS was deactivated after 125 proud years of service to this nation, all the INS flags were taken down, seals removed, letterhead changed, and INS employees were told to quit using "Immigration", or "INS", while at Customs, the Customs' flags still fly, Customs' seals still adore the Customs' offices, Customs' letterhead is still used! And the phones answered, "Customs". And the INS Agents may have to convert to the weak 9-mm Glock that Customs uses versus the .40 caliber that INS used.

  I came to INS to be an INS agent not a Customs agent. If I wanted to be a Customs agent I would have applied and went to work for them.

  This is a bad deal for the INS employees.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 26, 2003 2:09 AM
• 1936
  

  I have nearly 22 years federal law enforcement experience, including that of a US Border Patrol Agent, Deputy US Marshal and former DOJ/INS Special Agent. I also graduated from the FLETC Criminal Investigators School, plus various other DOJ/INS professional development courses.

  I did not ask for this merger with ICE. But the constant whining and complaining of former Customs Special Agents with having to interface and work with former INS Agents and eventually enforce their laws is getting a little old.

  As a former INS Special Agent, I have worked complex Alien Smuggling/ harboring cases involving Eastern Europeans and foreign nationals from many different countries.

  Former Customs Agents aren't the only ones that have the lock on "real law enforcement-type backgrounds" or that "real Cop" genre! Many INS Agents were former police officers and have a real devotion to real law enforcement work; i.e. tracking down INS fugitives, prosecuting criminal aliens for various title 18 crimes like firearms violations, fraudulent document venders, sexual predators, etc, etc. Internet kiddie porn is an important societal problem, but that's not the primary reason why I swore an oath to carry a badge and gun.

  I bet you the typical legacy INS Special Agent prosecuted more felons in federal court in one year than some legacy Customs Agents have prosecuted in a 20 year career.

  I wish your future articles would be a little more balanced with more feedback from legacy INS Agents and not just unhappy Custom's Agents. We dont like the merger either !

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 25, 2003 8:23 PM
• 1931
  

  I have a close family member who works for ICE, and your article really hit the target! ICE is supposed to be the law enforcement and investigative arm of DHS, but no one would know that from the name of the organization. INS had a dismal track record as an agency, yet a former INS executive has been placed in charge, and the INS way and priorities appear to be the foundation for ICE operations. Like Customs, FPS, as part of GSA, had advanced administrative systems, such as payroll and a paperless travel system, which reimbursed in 24-48 hours. Why would anyone want to use antiquated INS systems and business processes??? And, what does going after pedophiles and child pornographers have to do with protecting citizens from terrorists?? The FBI and local police agencies handle those types of crimes. Where is the vision and focus on real homeland security? No wonder the rank-and-file employees (and middle management) of ICE have no clue as to what their mission is! ICE needs a new name and a leadership team that has a clear vision and understanding of the mission of ICE and represents all the former agencies equitably. You can't create a team when the view of one former organization is dominating the others, especially if that one agency did not represent best practices in government. ICE is in a state of chaos and confusion, and much of the workforce is demoralized. Isn't it time officials acknowledge that "the emperor has no clothes"? If they don't, ICE will lose its best and brightest, and who will that serve---certainly not the American public.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 24, 2003 9:44 AM
• 1927
  

  The American Public should be appalled. In eight months this agency has yet to:

  • Produce a mission statement
  • Define investigative priorities
  • Cross train personnel
  • Combine office space
  • Develop administraive systems
  • Issue badges and credentials
  • Select key field manager positions

  The list goes on and on. More importantly managers at the highest level have not brought employee groups together. The "friction" in ICE is not caused by the agents. The "friction" is caused by the issues referenced above.

  If this is not fraud, waste and abuse it simply does not exist in federal government. Many employees have shared the issues with congressman and senators, but no action has been taken. DHS has also been silent. At a recent Special Agent in Charge conference several field manages attempted to reveal the issues and were chastised for doing so. Others simply fear retailation, as do I.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 23, 2003 8:06 PM
• 1924
  

  You missed the point on several key issues. First of all, Customs Agents did not sit around waiting for Inspectors to call regarding violations. There has always been a close working relationship between the two and some very significant investigation have been made which were initiated by information supplied by inspectors, however, the majority of major investigations have been generated by agents' pro-active activities.

  Second, Customs agents have always looked at the larger picture regarding drug organizations and targeted the higher echelons accordingly. I might add that DEA routinely targeted the street and local dealer and their successes combating larger usually were after they joined an ongoing Customs investigation. GovExec.com reader Posted October 23, 2003 2:52 PM

• 1922
  

  We are still a confused agency.

  Despite the qoutes from Mr. Garcia on how great we are all getting along, we still don't have ICE badges or credentials - as a result, we are still Customs, INS, FPS, etc. employees. ICE has failed to give us a corporate identity... Try explaining to the public you are from ICE when your badge says Customs or INS.

  We are prone to additional confusion when we are told that as a DHS agency, we are to give investigative priority to investigations such as those targeting Canadian telemarketers victimizing senior citizens. This is presented to us as a "serious threat to the homeland," yet we have no investigative priority targeting terrorism.

  Who are we and why are we here?

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 23, 2003 1:57 PM
• 1916
  

  Your article makes great strides in trying to explain some of the frustrations that many of the agents feel.

  One of the problems that exists is the name of the agency itself. In an attempt to add some part of the history of both Customs and INS to the future, we in fact took a step backwards. A better name would fully explain that we are, as we are often told, the investigative arm of DHS. There are many components to ICE and the name only goes to two of these. In all fairness, a suggested name that has been floating around would better convey this to the public. The suggestion that has been put forth is DHS, Investigations & Criminal Enforcement. It still uses the ICE title but gives a clearer picture of the agency and removes the notions that we are either one of the old agencies. Thank You!

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 23, 2003 8:51 AM