In fact, while some people know about it, ICE was not as well-known among the general American public compared to agencies like the CIA or FBI.

However, the atmosphere completely changed with the Trump administration. ICE appeared in the news every day, and scenes of immigrants in handcuffs during early morning raids were shown on screen. As a result, many people were surprised, wondering, "Was ICE such an organization?"

ICE is an agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating customs-related crimes.

In simple terms, it acts as the 'illegal immigrant police' within the United States. Its main mission is to identify and detain or deport illegal entrants or residents, and to investigate crimes such as smuggling, sham marriages, human trafficking, and drug and weapon smuggling.

Additionally, it collects intelligence related to terrorism and border crimes both domestically and internationally, and collaborates with foreign agents for investigations. It also manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and supervises to ensure that the status of legally residing foreigners does not change to illegal.

Interestingly, when the U.S. government announced a significant increase in ICE personnel with a $50,000 signing bonus, many young Americans applied. The agency's image changed to that of a 'stable and strong organization' as enforcement intensified.

In particular, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under ICE has the unique legal authority among federal agencies to conduct border searches without a warrant, showcasing its immense power.

To summarize ICE's role, while the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) secures the borders and the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) handles legal immigration, ICE is responsible for apprehending and deporting illegal residents within the U.S.

While the name ICE may be unfamiliar in Asia, it is almost a source of fear in Mexico and Central America. This is because most people who cross the border end up being apprehended and deported by ICE.

Foreign students attending U.S. colleges or language schools are also effectively under ICE's management. The SEVIS system, which is mandatory upon entry, is a government database operated by ICE. International students must pay SEVIS fees each time they receive their I-20 documents, and this entire process falls under ICE's surveillance.

Now, ICE is one of the most controversial government agencies in the U.S. It is viewed by conservative Americans as the "guardian of national security," while it is criticized by the left as an agent of fascism. The reason the American left criticizes ICE is due to differing perspectives on human rights and immigration issues.

The progressive side criticizes ICE for excessive violence and human rights violations during the enforcement of illegal immigration. There is also significant criticism that ICE intensified enforcement for political purposes during the Trump administration, instilling fear in immigrant communities.

However, the working conditions for ICE agents are intense and dangerous. They directly handle crime scenes involving illegal immigrants, smuggling, human trafficking, and drug organizations, which can lead to shootings or chases during arrests. They primarily conduct raids in the early morning or at night, where violent resistance and the risk of casualties are ever-present.

Their work locations vary across the U.S. and even include overseas assignments, and frequent shifts and travel often mean being away from family. In fact, there are often cases where ICE agents die during duty due to shootings, traffic accidents, or heart attacks, making it a profession known for significant physical and mental stress.

The future of ICE seems likely to change significantly depending on the political direction. Human rights issues and social backlash will grow, and finding a balance between being a 'strong enforcement agency' and a 'human rights-respecting administrative agency' will likely be the biggest challenge ahead.