ICE officers do not have the same power as state or local police. While they are federal law enforcement officers, their authority is specialized and subject to different legal constraints.
Key Differences in Authority (as of 2026)
- Subject Matter Jurisdiction: ICE agents enforce federal immigration and customs laws. Unlike local police, they do not have the authority to enforce state or local laws, such as traffic violations (e.g., speeding or DUIs) or common state crimes like residential burglary.
- Authority Over Citizens: ICE has very limited authority over U.S. citizens. They may only detain a citizen in rare cases, such as if the individual is assaulting an officer or interfering with a lawful arrest.
I've just been getting up to speed on this. I was very surprised at how limited their powers are. What power did they actually have to try to detain Renee. On the face of it, none. I wonder whether more information will come out. This aspect isn't getting much of a mention in the media.
