The General and Administrative Law attorneys and staff support a diverse portfolio of ICE-wide legal programs and OPLA-wide mission and program support. The General and Administrative Law component covers a broad legal portfolio and comprises several specialized divisions.
Commercial and Administrative Law Division
The Commercial and Administrative Law Division (CALD) attorneys provide legal services in the areas of debt collection (including immigration surety bond debts and worksite enforcement fines), procurement, fiscal law, administrative law and environmental law. They advise ICE operational components and represent ICE in litigation both in federal courts and before administrative bodies like the Government Accountability Office and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.
Government Information Law Division
The Government Information Law Division (GILD) attorneys advise all ICE program offices on matters relating to the disclosure of agency information, both within DHS and to external entities. Their work includes the legal review of international agreements, such as Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties, Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements and Letters of Intent with foreign governments. They also adjudicate administrative appeals under the Freedom of Information Act and help U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to defend information-related litigation filed against ICE.
ICE Ethics Office
The ICE Ethics Office provides advice, guidance and training on the ethical standards that apply to every ICE employee. Its attorneys establish, maintain and carry out the ICE ethics program, which includes collecting, reviewing and certifying financial disclosure reports, providing ethics advice on the standards of conduct and executing a robust employee ethics education program. The ICE Ethics Office also serves as ICE’s point of contact for attorney professional responsibility complaints, and it oversees the Administrative Inquiry and Management Referral program for attorney misconduct cases.
Labor and Employment Law Division
Labor and Employment Law Division (LELD) attorneys foster compliance with federal personnel law, represent the agency in employment and labor-related litigation, and provide advice and guidance to ICE supervisors and managers on a variety of topics relating to personnel management. LELD’s attorneys represent ICE in litigation before the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They work with the Department of Justice to defend ICE against federal lawsuits brought under Title VII, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. LELD trains ICE managers and supervisors on ways to ensure that ICE is a discrimination-free and harassment-free workplace where employees can succeed.
Mission Support Division
The Mission Support Division (MSD) team of support professionals delivers comprehensive, nationwide administrative services to advance OPLA’s operational mission. For instance, MSD coordinates budget formulation and budget execution for OPLA, which employs more than 1700 attorneys and support staff. It also procures goods and services, processes vendor and employee payments, and supports official travel. It manages OPLA’s hiring and oversees employee performance management. It is also responsible for tracking OPLA’s facility needs and its government property.