ICE releases FY 2022 annual report

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released today the agency’s annual report showcasing how the agency has responded to increasingly complex transnational security threats in fiscal year (FY) 2022. The FY 2022 annual report highlights how ICE is helping secure the Southwest Border and rebuilding a humane and orderly immigration system; combatting transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) including disrupting the supply of opioids coming to U.S. communities; improving transparency to stakeholders and the public; and supporting its dedicated, resilient workforce.

The report highlights the efforts of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), Management and Administration (M&A), the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), as well as several programs within the Office of the Director (OD).

In FY 2022, ICE provided significant support for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Southwest Border response, providing air and ground transportation and deploying logistical support to border operations. HSI deployed 600 special agents to the Southwest Border and 300 more to international locations as part of Operation Expanded Impact (OEI). OEI, a Department-wide initiative, targets Southwest Border Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) involved in human smuggling and human trafficking activity. This effort resulted in more than 790 disruptions to illicit activity, 14,000 noncitizen apprehensions, 1,900 criminal arrests, and the seizure of $5 million in assets and property.

ICE announced a series of new or updated agency policies, including: increasing transparency and accountability through a body-worn camera pilot program; strengthening ICE’s victim-centered approach with noncitizen crime victims; enhancing protections for detained noncitizens with mental disorders or conditions; considering military service when determining how to prioritize civil immigration enforcement actions; providing additional oversight on how ICE issues administrative subpoenas to members of the news media; and helping protect parental and guardianship rights for guardians of minor children and incapacitated adults.

Enforcement and Removal Operations

ERO conducted 142,750 administrative arrests in FY 2022, nearly doubling the number it made in FY 2021. ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with a criminal history; those arrested had an average of 4.3 charges and convictions per individual, including more than 20,000 charges or convictions for assault, 5,500 for weapons offenses, 1,500 for homicide-related offenses, and 1,100 for kidnapping. Removals also included 2,667 known or suspected gang members, 55 known or suspected terrorists, seven human rights violators, and 74 foreign fugitives wanted by their governments for crimes including homicide, rape, terrorism, and kidnapping.

The directorate conducted 72,177 removals to more than 150 countries worldwide. During this time, ERO also conducted over 200,000 additional transportation segments, including domestic transfers and Title 42 expulsions, for a total of 249,435 individual movements of noncitizens.

ERO managed the detained and non-detained dockets from initial book-in to final case disposition, including removal, if applicable. Although most noncitizens — more than 4.7 million — are on ICE’s non-detained docket, the agency also managed detention operations to provide for the safety, security, and care of an average of 22,600 people in ICE custody. The agency also forward deployed its Alternatives to Detention program to ensure that migrants being released by CBP were meeting their reporting and immigration obligations, expanding enrollment to 321,000 by the end of FY 2022.

ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) operated on a budget of nearly $324 million to provide medical, dental, mental health services — exceeding 1.1 million visits over the course of the fiscal year, for the detained population, housed within approximately 130 facilities across the nation.

Homeland Security Investigations

HSI conducted 36,685 criminal arrests, identified and/or assisted 1,170 victims of child exploitation, and assisted 765 victims of human trafficking. Additionally, it set a record for seized currency and assets of more than $5 billion, dealing a significant blow to TCO operations and criminals seeking to profit from illicit crimes. This increase of approximately $4 billion from the previous year was due largely to increased seizures of cryptocurrency utilized for criminal activity.

Using its unique border authorities and international partnerships, HSI continued to play a key role in the U.S. government’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and seized more than 1.8 million pounds of narcotics in 2022. HSI also targeted all aspects of TCOs responsible for this ongoing public health crisis by shutting down dark web vendors, denying cartels the firearms and illicit proceeds that fuel their operations, and collaborating with law enforcement partners across the U.S. and around the world to dismantle the criminal networks.

HSI led investigations around the world with efforts that disrupt illicit activity, including the arrest of four individuals in connection with the June 2022 tractor-trailer discovery in San Antonio resulting in the death of 53 noncitizens. HSI seized more than $2 billion in assets including 11 luxury yachts and three aircraft in support of U.S. government economic sanctions associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through Operation Vested Interest, an ongoing criminal investigation targeting individuals who conspired to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, HSI helped obtain the extradition to the United States of three individuals involved in the conspiracy.

After targeting TCOs involved in money laundering and human, narcotics, and bulk cash smuggling in Latin America, HSI seized 330 firearms, 43,466 rounds of ammunition, 92,055 pounds of narcotics, and over $5 million in currency; carried out 1,745 arrests; executed 556 search warrants; rescued 180 minor victims; enrolled 11,531 individuals with biometrics; and trained 3,177 vetted foreign officers over the course of the year.

Additionally, Transnational Criminal Investigative Units (TCIUs), vetted foreign law enforcement officers who partner with HSI, made more than 3,800 criminal arrests, rescued 175 victims, and seized nearly $57 million in currency and criminally derived assets. TCIUs also seized over 349,000 pounds of narcotics and precursor chemicals.

Dedicated, Resilient Workforce

Throughout FY 2022, the ICE workforce remained dedicated, committed, and resilient, making it possible to accomplish ICE’s complex mission. In FY 2022, the agency focused on DHS’ 30x23 Initiative, increasing the new-hire rate for women deportation officers within ERO from 6% in FY 2021 to 25% in FY 2022, and from 18% to 44% for women special agents within HSI.

Continued Commitment to Transparency

Transparency remains at the forefront of the agency’s mission. To support this important goal, ICE continues to share information and data about operations and initiatives with a range of stakeholders, from nongovernmental organizations and law enforcement partners around the country and the world, to elected officials at the city, county, state, and federal levels of government. In FY 2022, ERO led efforts to regularly post key operational metrics on the agency’s public-facing website, ICE.gov.