NCJ Number
219065
Date Published
2007
Length
62 pages
Annotation
This Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presents data and information on ICE's work in ensuring national security and public safety.
Abstract
In fiscal year 2006, ICE completely restructured the detention and removal process for those who enter the United States illegally. It adopted a business model for efficiently removing aliens and dangerous criminals from the country. ICE ended the practice of "catch and release" along the border. It has succeeded in reducing the average length of stay in custody for aliens placed in expedited removal proceedings to approximately 19 days, a significant reduction from the average of 90 days for aliens in traditional proceedings. ICE also increased its use of the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System, expanded its use of video teleconferencing technology at foreign consulates, and established the Detention Operations Coordination Center in order to maximize detention capacity. All of these efforts resulted in the increased efficiency of the removal process and a record number of alien removals. In fiscal year 2006, ICE removed 185,432 illegal aliens from the country, a 10-percent increase over the previous fiscal year. ICE created a national center that reviews aliens at all 119 Federal detention facilities, in order to ensure that criminal illegal aliens are deported rather than released back into society upon completion of their sentences. ICE also doubled the number of personnel assigned to arms and strategic technology investigations from approximately 150 to 300. Other ICE efforts targeted violent street gangs and created task forces to counter the increased threat of cross-border smuggling and trafficking organizations. In addition to operational achievements, ICE made significant progress in ensuring financial and management accountability in fiscal year 2006.