U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spent last year targeting transnational crime and national security and public safety threats, according to its annual report.
In its fiscal year 2022 report, ICE reported details about how it "responded to increasingly complex transnational security threats," the Homeland Security agency said in a Dec. 30, 2022, news release.
"ICE continues to disrupt transnational criminal organizations, remove threats to national security and public safety, uphold the integrity of U.S. immigration laws and collaborate with its colleagues across government and law enforcement in pursuit of our shared mission to keep U.S. communities safe," ICE Acting Director Tae Johnson said in the news release. "ICE's annual report highlights the efforts of our more than 20,000 law enforcement and support personnel in responding to complex cross-border and domestic threats."
The annual report detailed efforts by various Homeland Security divisions, including Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, Principal Legal Advisor, Management and Administration and Professional Responsibility, the release reported.
ICE's annual fiscal year report highlights how the agency assisted in securing the southern border, "rebuilding a humane and orderly immigration system" and combating transnational criminal organizations, according to the release. The latter activities include disrupting opioids entering the U.S., as well as "improving transparency to stakeholders and the public" and supporting ICE's "dedicated, resilient workforce."
ICE also reported more than 142,000 were arrested and more than 72,000 were deported in the 12-month fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2022, with the deportation number including border and interior removals, the release reported. Almost 44,000 were deported at the border and more than 28,000 were deported from within the U.S.
"We will continue to safeguard national security and public safety while living our core values: integrity, courage and excellence," Johnson added, according to the release.
