Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is a critical federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Its core mission is to protect the United States from global threats, ensuring the safety and security of American citizens. HSI’s unique position and broad authorities allow it to tackle a wide range of criminal activities with a global reach.
HSI investigates crimes impacting communities both locally and globally, working to stop criminals and support the victims of their crimes. HSI agents are dedicated to protecting the country and serving its people with innovation, hard work, and determination, collaborating with partners to combat crime and maintain safety.
HSI’s Mission: Protecting Our Nation
HSI’s primary focus is protecting the country, its people, and its future. The global nature of the crimes HSI investigates, combined with its expansive legal authorities, sets it apart.
HSI conducts federal criminal investigations into the illicit movement of people, goods, money, contraband, weapons, and sensitive technologies into, out of, and within the United States. These investigations span various offenses, including drug and weapons smuggling, cyber and financial crime, illegal technology exports, and intellectual property crime. Additionally, HSI plays a vital role in investigating exploitation crimes, such as child exploitation, human trafficking, financial fraud, and scams targeting vulnerable populations.
To address global crime effectively, HSI maintains a widespread presence with offices in 235 cities across the United States and over 90 offices in more than 50 countries internationally. This global network enables HSI to identify and disrupt criminal activities before they reach the U.S. border.
Partnerships with law enforcement agencies, the private sector, and local communities are integral to HSI’s success. These collaborations foster a united front against global crime, ensuring a safer environment for everyone. HSI is dedicated to shielding Americans from threats to their safety and security, whether at home, abroad, or online.
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Fighting Global Threats, Protecting American Lives
Global crime affects every aspect of modern life, and HSI is committed to protecting citizens from these threats. HSI’s efforts yield significant outcomes:
- Removing dangerous drugs and gang members from our communities.
- Identifying and assisting victims of child exploitation, human trafficking, and forced labor.
- Preventing intellectual property theft and keeping dangerous technology away from adversaries.
- Stopping financial fraud, illegal trade, and counterfeit goods to safeguard the U.S. economy, American businesses, and personal finances.
- Protecting American consumers, businesses, vulnerable populations, and the public from cyber threats.
- Preventing terrorists and other malicious actors from entering the country and causing harm.
HSI achieves these goals by identifying, disrupting, and dismantling illegal networks. It seizes assets to prevent further criminal activity, arrests offenders, and collaborates with prosecutors to bring justice to victims.
This comprehensive approach is fundamental to HSI’s mission, ensuring a safer future through present-day actions.
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Honor, Service, Integrity: The Core Values of HSI
HSI operates under a strong set of core values:
- Honor: Performing duties with dignity and upholding the oath of office.
- Service: Serving the nation with pride and facing challenges with courage.
- Integrity: Adhering to the highest ethical and moral standards.
A Legacy of Protecting the Homeland
The origins of HSI’s public service mission date back to 1789, with the establishment of the U.S. Customs Service.
For over a century, the U.S. Customs Service served as the primary revenue source for the government by inspecting and taxing imported goods. These funds supported the country’s early growth and infrastructure. Customs officials also prevented the entry of prohibited items and employed ships to intercept smugglers.
In the 20th century, with the dramatic increase in international trade and travel, the Customs Service evolved into a federal law enforcement agency. Customs special agents began using modern policing methods to investigate criminals involved in evading duties and smuggling contraband. The 1976 Arms Export Control Act expanded Customs’ authority to investigate and prevent international weapons trafficking.
In 1933, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was established. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 further enhanced the INS’s responsibilities, granting it the authority to investigate gang, fraud, and human smuggling activities. In 1996, the INS’s responsibilities and special agent presence expanded even further, granting additional authority and resources to investigate criminal violations of U.S. immigration laws.
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate and unify national homeland security efforts.
DHS opened on March 1, 2003, merging 22 federal departments and agencies. The U.S. Customs Service (formerly part of the Department of Treasury) and the INS (formerly part of the Department of Justice) were among the agencies that combined within DHS. The customs law enforcement responsibilities and investigations components of these two agencies formed the Offices of Investigations, Intelligence, and International Affairs within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In 2010, the Offices of Investigations, Intelligence, and International Affairs within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were consolidated into Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Since then, HSI has emerged as a leading U.S. federal law enforcement organization, actively protecting the United States from global threats.
Throughout its history, HSI has remained true to its roots while expanding its operations. It has adapted to evolving global crime, embraced technology and innovation, and combatted significant threats to the country. Today, HSI serves as the principal investigative arm of DHS, safeguarding the American people and homeland with honor, service, and integrity.
