ICE Agents And The Power Of Discretion In Immigration Enforcement
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President Trump’s executive orders on immigration have brought renewed focus on the role of individual ICE agents. Photo by Groupuscule via Wikimedia Commons
At a sports bar in Randolph, the TV in the corner is tuned to Fox News and there’s a White House press briefing on. Sports dominate every other screen and a steady stream of ’90s pop music plays in the background.
This is where Albert Orlowski and I agreed to meet to talk about his career as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in New England.
“Over 25 years in federal law enforcement. Twenty-one in immigration, ICE,” he says.
Just the term “ICE” evokes emotion. Three letters emblazoned on the back of a dark jacket; nondescript white vans — they’re images synonymous with fear among immigrants in the country illegally. ICE agents seek out so-called “targets” and often use the element of surprise. The role is inherently boogeyman-esque.
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