Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is a premier federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We shield our nation from global threats to ensure Americans are safe and secure.

HSI investigates crime on a global scale – at home, abroad and online – to prevent harm to you locally.

We live and work alongside the people we are sworn to protect, so our work is personal. HSI identifies, investigates and stops criminals, while supporting those victimized by their crimes.

HSI is committed to protecting you and serving our country. Through innovation, hard work and determination, we work with our partners to combat crime and keep you safe.

Our Mission – What We Do, How We Do It

At HSI, we protect what matters most – our country, our people and our future. What makes us unique is the global nature of the crimes we investigate and the broad legal authorities available to us to combat them.

HSI conducts federal criminal investigations into the illegal movement of people, goods, money, contraband, weapons and sensitive technology into, out of and through the United States. HSI’s investigations are wide ranging – our cases include drug and weapons smuggling, cyber and financial crime, illegal technology exports and intellectual property crime. We also play a crucial role in investigating crimes of exploitation. This includes combating child exploitation, human trafficking, financial fraud and scams and other crimes against vulnerable populations.

Global crime requires a global response. HSI has offices in 235 cities across the United States and an international presence that spans over 90 offices in more than 50 countries. HSI identifies and stops crime before it reaches the United States. Crime doesn’t stop at our borders, and neither do we.

Partnerships with law enforcement counterparts, the private sector and our local communities are a key part of HSI’s success. From our communities at home to our partners abroad, we work together to fight global crime.

At the end of the day, HSI’s goal is clear – to shield Americans from threats to their safety and security – at home, abroad and online.

What We Investigate

Our Pledge – Fighting Global Threats, Protecting American Lives

Global crime impacts every aspect of our lives – HSI’s job is to protect you and keep you safe from it. We do this every day, in cities and communities across the United States and around the world.

HSI’s value lies in the outcome of our investigations:

• Keeping dangerous drugs and gang members off our streets.
• Identifying and supporting victims rescued from child exploitation, human trafficking and forced labor.
• Preventing intellectual property theft and keeping dangerous and deadly technology out of our enemies’ hands.
• Stopping financial fraud, illegal trade and the sale of fake goods to protect the U.S. economy, American businesses and your money.
• Protecting American consumers, businesses, vulnerable populations and the public from cyber threats.
• Preventing terrorists and other bad actors from entering the country and harming our people.

HSI does this by stopping criminals. We identify, disrupt and shut down their illegal networks. We seize their money and their assets to keep them from breaking the law again. Our agents arrest criminals and work with prosecutors to provide justice to their victims.

This comprehensive approach is key to HSI’s mission. Our efforts today help ensure a safer tomorrow.

How We Can Help

Our Core Values – Honor, Service, Integrity

We will:

• Perform our duties honorably and with dignity in a manner befitting the oath of office we are sworn to uphold.
• Serve the nation proudly and face challenges with courage and determination.
• Exemplify integrity by adhering to the highest ethical and moral code.

Our History – Honoring Our Legacy

Our public service mission dates back to 1789. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department to further coordinate and unify national homeland security efforts.

DHS opened its doors on March 1, 2003, and was created through the combination of all or part of 22 different federal departments and agencies into a unified Department. Two of those agencies combined within DHS were the U.S. Customs Service (formerly part of the Department of Treasury) and the INS (formerly part of the Department of Justice). The customs law enforcement responsibilities and investigations components of those two agencies formed the Offices of Investigations, Intelligence, and International Affairs within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The story of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) begins in 1789, when Congress established the U.S. Customs Service.

For over 100 years after it was founded, the U.S. Customs Service was the primary source of revenue for the government, inspecting and taxing goods imported into the United States. The funds generated helped pay for the country's early growth and infrastructure. Customs officials also stopped banned items from entering the country and used ships at sea to prevent smugglers from bringing items ashore. The list of banned items changed over time, but included undeclared liquor, tobacco, firearms, drugs, stolen property and other contraband.

In the 20th century, as international trade and travel increased dramatically, the Customs Service transitioned from an administrative bureau to a federal law enforcement agency. Customs officials still inspected goods entering and leaving the country, but Customs special agents increasingly used modern police methods to investigate criminals seeking to evade duties and profit from illegally smuggling contraband into and out of the United States. The 1976 Arms Export Control Act gave Customs the additional authority to investigate and prevent international weapons trafficking.

In 1933, Congress established the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 enhanced the responsibilities of the INS, granting the agency authority to investigate certain gang, fraud and human smuggling activities. The responsibilities and special agent footprint of the INS expanded even further in 1996, providing the agency additional authority and resources to investigate criminal offenses of U.S. immigration laws.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department to further coordinate and unify national homeland security efforts.

DHS opened its doors on March 1, 2003, and was created through the combination of all or part of 22 different federal departments and agencies into a unified Department. Two of those agencies combined within DHS were the U.S. Customs Service (formerly part of the Department of Treasury) and the INS (formerly part of the Department of Justice). The customs law enforcement responsibilities and investigations components of those two agencies formed the Offices of Investigations, Intelligence, and International Affairs within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In 2010, the Offices of Investigations, Intelligence, and International Affairs within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were combined into a new directorate within the agency known as Homeland Security Investigations, or HSI. Since that time, HSI has emerged as a premier U.S. federal law enforcement organization, with its agents on the front lines of the fight to protect the United States from global threats. Over the years, HSI has led some of the U.S. government’s most significant and consequential investigations, targeting and taking down drug cartels, money laundering syndicates, sanctions violators, torturers and war criminals, arms smuggling networks, human trafficking organizations, child exploitation networks, and a host of other actors that threaten the security of the United States.

Since its establishment, HSI has stayed true to its history and its roots but has continued to expand its footprint and operations. HSI has consistently met the needs of the time, evolving as global crime evolves; adapting to an ever-changing threat landscape; and embracing technology and innovation to enable us to combat the most significant threats to our country.

Over 200 years ago, our predecessors played a key role in imports, customs, and taxes. Today HSI serves as the principal investigative component of DHS and safeguards the American people and our homeland with honor, service, and integrity.