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mysteryowl

(8,092 posts)
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 08:45 AM 7 hrs ago

ICE thugs have zero law enforcement authority. Right?

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

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
ICE thugs have zero law enforcement authority. Right? (Original Post) mysteryowl 7 hrs ago OP
No... they are law enforcement FBaggins 6 hrs ago #1
A guide HAB911 6 hrs ago #2
Great resource! Scrivener7 6 hrs ago #6
I think the public is confused by their role and methods bucolic_frolic 6 hrs ago #3
They are law enforcement but their authority is limited to the enforcement of immigration laws. Ocelot II 6 hrs ago #4
They can if they see it DetroitLegalBeagle 5 hrs ago #8
So felonies only and federal laws only? scipan 13 min ago #13
They also cannot detsin or arrest citizens obamanut2012 3 hrs ago #11
Yes, if the citizens are engaged in one of several activities that Igel 1 hr ago #12
They don't care about authority. SamKnause 6 hrs ago #5
Good question that yielded a good answer in HAB911's post. Scrivener7 6 hrs ago #7
These assholes are not law enforcement and cannot make traffic stops LetMyPeopleVote 3 hrs ago #9
They also are not allowed to detain or arrest citizens obamanut2012 3 hrs ago #10

FBaggins

(28,644 posts)
1. No... they are law enforcement
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 09:05 AM
6 hrs ago

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

bucolic_frolic

(54,075 posts)
3. I think the public is confused by their role and methods
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 09:06 AM
6 hrs ago

The public expects LE but is getting something else.

Ocelot II

(129,150 posts)
4. They are law enforcement but their authority is limited to the enforcement of immigration laws.
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 09:07 AM
6 hrs ago

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

DetroitLegalBeagle

(2,466 posts)
8. They can if they see it
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 10:36 AM
5 hrs ago

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

(2,977 posts)
13. So felonies only and federal laws only?
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 03:36 PM
13 min ago

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.

Igel

(37,390 posts)
12. Yes, if the citizens are engaged in one of several activities that
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 02:05 PM
1 hr ago

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

(14,712 posts)
5. They don't care about authority.
Sun Jan 11, 2026, 09:25 AM
6 hrs ago

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'.

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