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The origins of ICE

How ICE went from a little-known US law enforcement agency to international controversy.

The top official from ICE – US Immigration and Customs Enforcement – will testify in front of Congress this week, for the first time since two people were shot and killed in Minneapolis.

Democrats are demanding changes to the way ICE operates, including banning face masks and requiring agents to have warrants signed by a judge before they can enter private properties. Republicans say these measures could make officers less safe.

Meanwhile, the controversy over ICE has spread to other countries. A protest broke out in Milan in response to the presence of ICE agents in Italy, who say they are helping with American security operations during the Winter Olympics.

Camilo Montoya-Galvez, immigration reporter for CBS News, has been covering ICE operations across multiple US cities. He tells us the history of how this previously little-known law enforcement agency was created, and how it has become so internationally controversial.

Producers: Viv Jones, Aron Keller and Chris Benderev

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Anti-ICE protests in Milan. Credit: Reuters/ Alkis Konstantinidis

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27 minutes

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Wed 11 Feb 202601:32GMT

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