The main law enforcement presence in my Book BLUE ICE centers on
Homeland Security Special Agents, HSI. These federal special agents represent an
arm of Homeland Security called Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. You
may have images in your mind about now of green or brown uniformed agents doing
boarder checks, but no. That's not what HSI Special Agents do. Not even close.
ICE is divided into two main branches, ERO or Enforcement and Removal
Operations, and HSI, or Investigations.
The special agents of HSI are the holders of the broadest scope of authority for
law enforcement in the country, and you probably don't know much about them.
Operating both inside and outside of the country, HSI has the greatest
flexibility of any federal law enforcement agency. They are armed, don't wear
uniforms, don't drive marked cars or receive much publicity for their successes,
preferring to let other federal agencies take the spotlight. They don't stay by
the boarders. If you are detained by HSI, as Goldie Silverman in Blue Ice
would say, "They don't need a search warrant and no, you do not get one call."
This description, taken from the official web site, http://www.ice.gov,
touches on some ofthat scope: "ICE is the largest investigative arm of
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ICE Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI) protects the United States against terrorist and other criminal
organizations who threaten our safety and national security and transnational
criminal enterprises who seek to exploit America's legitimate trade, travel, and
financial systems. ICE HSI operates out of 70 offices in 47 foreign countries."
As one agent said, "No one knows who we are until we get interested in them."
Just a few of the threats they can get interested in include security,
terrorism, drug smuggling, human trafficking, illegal arms export, financial
crimes, and cyber crimes. More than enough to fuel the plots for a dozen mystery
books.
So the question, in case anyone from anywhere is plotting against the citizens
of the US is, "Who you gonna call?" The answer is Homeland Security
Investigations. You can get to know Special Agent Jack Strickland and an ICE
Shadow Wolf, Ed Red Wind in BLUE ICE. I would love to
see more authors shine a light on this powerful and yet little known branch of
Homeland Security. Oh, wait, they don't really want the spotlight. Oops.
The Lake House Mysteries by IC Enger -
BLUE ICE - published by
Oak Tree Press, available from Amazon.com
Green Ice - coming soon
Black Ice - coming sooner or later
I think Michael Connolly has a book called Black Ice. One of his Harry Bosch ones. (Clare O'Beara 7:06am January 26, 2013)
Clare, he does have one called the Black Ice, but in his book black ice is an illegal drug. I'm torn between being glad there are agencies out there like this and invasion of our privacy. I used to think that as a law abiding citizen I didn't need to worry, but I'm not so sure anymore. (Susan Falkler 11:02am January 26, 2013)
I'm sure that they serve a good purpose for this Country, but by the same token, it's sort of scary to think that they could accuse the average American of a crime, not afford them the chance to make a phone call, and lock them up somewhere, even though they might not be guilty. For those that do their job and truly go after those that are trying to harm our Country, I salute them. (Peggy Roberson 9:32pm January 26, 2013)
Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm hoping that the take away from the blog will be an awareness of the folks protecting our borders and commerce. The high drama stays where it belongs, in a fictional mystery story. (Ic Enger 1:12pm January 27, 2013)
You leave me smiling for more with all the talk about ice. Somebody wrote a book about Out on Thin Ice which makes me wonder about the opposite Thick Ice. Are your investigators icy and quietly letting the talk flow from the suspects? (Alyson Widen 4:25pm January 27, 2013)
You got me sold on Homeland Security. I'm in on your series. (Kai Wong 5:55pm January 27, 2013)
Ah yes, Alyson, my special agents have their ways. They're usually one step ahead of Brooke, the point of view character, and they know more than they say. She does have her moments though, and manages to drive them nuts. (Ic Enger 8:30pm January 27, 2013)
I am a bit familiar with some of the activities of ICE, having read of their work in our local newspaper. But I would enjoy learning more. Homeland Security has a special responsibility currently, since Al Qaeda had treatened our country this week because of the U.S. helping France in Africa. Your book is very timely. (Gladys Paradowski 10:39pm February 3, 2013)
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