Two US federal officials who look similar but belong to different agencies.Image: keystone/watson
After a fatal police operation in Minneapolis, there was initially confusion: Was an ICE officer or a Border Patrol agent involved? The case shows how little is known about the differences between the two US immigration authorities.
January 26, 2026, 7:38 p.mJanuary 26, 2026, 7:38 p.m
A momentous operation occurred in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026: A 37-year-old US citizen was shot and killed by a federal agent. Initially, several media outlets reported that an ICE immigration officer had fired. It later emerged that the shooter was part of the Border Patrol. According to current information, the victim only had a cell phone in his hand.
The incident sparked protests and also caused political criticism. The initial misinformation about the responsible authority in particular made it clear that even in the USA it is often unclear who takes on which tasks in the immigration system.
A spectator tries to protect himself with a fluorescent vest.Image: AP Sahan Journal/Catchlight Loca
Two authorities, one ministry
ICE and Border Patrol are two separate organizations, both under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, they pursue different tasks and areas of application.
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency was created in 2003 after the September 11 attacks and is responsible for enforcing immigration and customs laws in the interior of the country. Their tasks include investigations into illegal immigration, smuggling, visa fraud and the arrest and deportation of people without valid residence status.
ICE officers operate primarily in cities and towns, conducting raids and often working in civilian clothes. In recent years, the authority has come under increasing criticism for tough enforcement methods and controversial operations. ICE is currently managed provisionally and employs over 20,000 people.
Border security as a core mission
The Border Patrol is significantly older. It was founded in 1924 and is part of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Its main mission is to secure the US external borders, particularly along the border with Mexico and Canada.
Border Patrol agents are uniformed and heavily equipped. They patrol between official border crossings, prevent illegal border crossings and combat smuggling. Their powers extend up to 160 kilometers into the country, where they can carry out checks. ICE is usually responsible for people living in the country for a longer period of time without residence status.
The Border Patrol has almost 20,000 agents and is one of the largest police organizations in the USA. It is hierarchically subordinate to the CBP and therefore indirectly to the Department of Homeland Security.
Common roots, different roles
Both authorities emerged from the split of the former immigration authority INS. What they have in common is that they are armed, are allowed to carry out arrests and play a central role in US migration policy. In practice, they often work together: people who are apprehended at the border are often later cared for by ICE or deported.
The differences lie primarily in the area of application. ICE operates domestically, Border Patrol operates at the borders. While ICE agents often act undercover, the Border Patrol is clearly recognizable as border police.
Both ICE and Border Patrol are deployed in Minneapolis.Image: keystone
Why the confusion remains
The Minneapolis case shows how overlapping responsibilities are in the public perception. For those affected, it is often irrelevant which authority is in action. Both stand for tough enforcement of immigration laws and are highly politically controversial.
The fact that even the media and politicians initially provided false information underlines the complexity of the system. ICE and Border Patrol pursue different tasks, but are increasingly appearing far away from traditional border areas. That’s exactly where the confusion begins – and it’s likely to continue in the future.