ICE thugs have zero law enforcement authority. Right?

[mysteryowl]

I don't think they can do any police work. They are only kidnapping people and violating peoples rights.

[FBaggins]

1. No... they are law enforcement

They can’t enforce state law, but there are hundreds of federal laws that they can

[HAB911]

2. A guide

https://allaboutlawyer.com/yes-ice-is-law-enforcement-but-their-authority-has-limits-you-need-to-know/#how-ice-differs-from-other-law-enforcement

[Scrivener7]

6. Great resource!

[bucolic_frolic]

3. I think the public is confused by their role and methods

The public expects LE but is getting something else.

[Ocelot II]

4. They are law enforcement but their authority is limited to the enforcement of immigration laws.

They can't arrest people for robbery or even issue a speeding ticket.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

8. They can if they see it

And it happens during their normal operations. So they cant just go after bank robbers, but they can intervene if they see it happen while they are already out doing their normal stuff. Felonies only of course.

From 8 USC 1357

(5) to make arrests—

(A) for any offense against the United States, if the offense is committed in the officer's or employee's presence, or

(B) for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States, if the officer or employee has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such a felony,


if the officer or employee is performing duties relating to the enforcement of the immigration laws at the time of the arrest and if there is a likelihood of the person escaping before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest.


Under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, an officer or employee of the Service may carry a firearm and may execute and serve any order, warrant, subpoena, summons, or other process issued under the authority of the United States.

[scipan]

13. So felonies only and federal laws only?

Just want to be very clear on what their scope is.

That would rule out things like "disturbing the peace" and "disorderly conduct", unless you are interfering with them carrying out their duties.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

16. Federal law only

Feds cant enforce state law except for a few exceptions. And they technically could enforce federal misdemeanors, but very few of them would be readily observable in passing.

[scipan]

17. Thanks. Appreciate your translating legal speak. ("Cognizable" as opposed to "against" especially). Nt

[obamanut2012]

11. They also cannot detsin or arrest citizens

[Igel]

12. Yes, if the citizens are engaged in one of several activities that

our democracy's laws say they can.

Ignoring felonies like bank robberies committed in ICE's presence ... It's a bit off to say that ICE must stop such a robber, ascertain if the robber's a US citizen or legally present, and if they are legally present in the US say, "Sorry to slow down your getaway!" Or maybe they could stop a murder, but the would-be killer is obviously a citizen, known to them, so they just go about their usual business of looking important and scary instead of stopping the murder. I mean, seriously?

They can also, like all LEOs, stop, detain, and arrest anybody, citizen or not, interfering with activities that fall in the scope of their legitimate duties; while they cannot prosecute them, citizen arrests are to be referred to the DOJ. (Now what defines 'legitimate'--do you mean legal, moral, ethical, ideological, or based on personal values or expressions of solidarity? I side with 'legal' here.)

[SamKnause]

5. They don't care about authority.

They seem to be running the country.

I don't see any law enforcement agencies or the National Guard stopping them.

The entire Trump administration is filled with criminals, White Nationalists, Christian Nationalists,
and outright Nazis.

When you can shoot an innocent smiling lady in the face 3 times, on video and not be arrested,
your country can no longer claim we live under the 'Rule of Law'.

[Scrivener7]

7. Good question that yielded a good answer in HAB911's post.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. These assholes are not law enforcement and cannot make traffic stops

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[FBaggins]

14. The are law enforcement... they aren't "cops"

They can’t conduct traffic stops… but this wasn’t a traffic stop.

(Though they can performs what looks like a traffic stop if it’s immigration related)

[obamanut2012]

10. They also are not allowed to detain or arrest citizens

They literally are barred.

[FBaggins]

15. That is not at all correct

They can do both. It’s a common misunderstanding of otherwise useful guidelines.