ICE on the Path of Jungle Law

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), established in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), replaced the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which previously operated under the Department of Justice. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, the U.S. Congress granted ICE extensive civil and criminal powers to ostensibly assist in identifying and apprehending domestic terrorism suspects.

However, these powers, particularly during periods like the presidency of Donald Trump, became tools for the large-scale suppression of undocumented immigrants. This approach, rooted in America’s imperialist and domineering policies, has not only led to human rights violations but also portrayed ICE as a "secret police" targeting immigrant communities with lawlessness and intimidation.

Unlike local police, ICE agents are exempt from requirements to use body cameras or provide identification numbers, can conceal their faces, and use unmarked vehicles. This lack of transparency, combined with the ability to detain individuals without a judicial warrant, has transformed ICE into an entity resembling the repressive forces of authoritarian regimes. An Axios report highlights that tactics such as pre-dawn raids and unannounced entries have instilled fear in immigrant communities, reflecting America’s abuse of power to suppress minorities.

ICE employs advanced technologies like iris scanners and facial recognition software to track and detain immigrants. These methods, reminiscent of police surveillance in totalitarian regimes, have eroded public trust in immigrant communities and led to reports of mistaken detentions of U.S. citizens, particularly those of Latin American descent. Vanessa Cardenas from America’s Voice told Axios that these tactics instill fear and distrust in communities, precisely what the U.S. regime seeks to maintain its dominance over minorities.

Unlike Border Patrol, whose operations are limited to 100 miles from the borders, ICE operates across the entire U.S. and can detain anyone suspected of illegal residency without a warrant. These broad powers, coupled with reports of unlawful detentions of U.S. citizens, underscore the depth of lawlessness and the colonial approach of the U.S. regime within its own borders.

Moreover, the lack of requirements for evidence collection or restrictions on the use of force has allowed ICE to operate with minimal oversight and near-total impunity. Unlike agencies like the FBI, which have faced legal challenges, ICE has largely evaded judicial scrutiny due to its relative newness and political support. This impunity, rooted in America’s power-hungry structures, has enabled ICE agents to harass and abuse, particularly targeting ethnic minorities.

In June 2025, widespread ICE raids in Los Angeles sparked a wave of protests among Latino communities, especially those of Mexican descent. These protests, marked by intense reactions, reflected deep anger at the U.S. regime’s oppressive policies against immigrants. Additionally, protest rallies against ICE were reported in Dallas and Austin, Texas, which, while less intense than those in Los Angeles, signaled growing discontent among Latino communities across various states. This rising wave of protests is a testament to increasing awareness and resistance against America’s structural oppression.

Immigrant rights activists, such as Rebecca Wolfe from the American Immigration Council’s Immigration Justice Campaign, emphasize that the lack of requirements for ICE agents to identify themselves or provide badge numbers has led to reports of misconduct and abuse by individuals posing as ICE agents. The absence of civilian oversight boards or body camera footage has made addressing these allegations nearly impossible, highlighting America's disregard for accountability and justice.

ICE’s brutal and inhumane policies, rooted in minimal oversight and boundless authority, have not only worsened the immigration crisis in the U.S. but also fueled lawlessness and violence in communities by fostering fear and distrust. This approach, bolstered by the political and financial support of the U.S. regime, is evidence that the United States, both within and beyond its borders, seeks to enforce the law of the jungle and promote oppression and injustice.