UPDATE 7:30pm EST: There has been some confusion surrounding the video, with some claiming it shows ICE and others saying Border Patrol. What is clear from the footage itself is that IRS Criminal Investigation agents were present and actively involved. The jackets visible in the video clearly read IRS-CI, which is the federal law-enforcement arm of the Internal Revenue Service.
In real-world federal operations, it is common for IRS-CI, ICE, and Border Patrol to work together on joint task-force actions, especially when financial crimes, identity fraud, or cross-border issues overlap. In this case, at least two of the officers involved were IRS-CI agents, which is directly verifiable from the video.
It is entirely possible that an individual arrested by IRS-CI was later turned over to ICE for immigration processing, but that does not change the central fact: This was a multi-agency operation that included IRS Criminal Investigation as a lead participant.
Earlier today New Media Detroit was sent a video alleging that ICE officials were making arrests at the Amazon Hazel Park facility.
I refused to run with the video until I could confirm details of the arrest captured on video.
I can now confirm that ICE was NOT arresting an individual at the facility. The arresting agency is the IRS-CI unit, as shown here in the screen grab.
The IRS-CI stands for Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation – they’re DOJ agents who investigate financial crime, tax fraud, money laundering, corruption, etc.
As you know, ICE stands for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – part of DHS (Department of Homeland Security) responsible for immigration enforcement, customs violations, human trafficking, cross-border crime, etc.
The IRS-CI made the arrest which is under the U.S. Department of Treasury, effectively DOJ for enforcement where as ICE falls under the Department of Homeland Security.
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