Final answer:
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency detains or arrests noncitizens who violate U.S. immigration laws, enhances public safety by enforcing these laws, and works to prevent the employment of illegal immigrants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency primarily detains or arrests noncitizens who are in violation of the law, including those who enter the United States without government permission or those who overstay their visas. ICE is a law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security that aims to enhance public safety by enforcing immigration and customs laws within the United States. It plays a critical role in interior enforcement by identifying, arresting, and removing individuals who are illegally present in the country or who have committed crimes that make them removable. Additionally, ICE has a responsibility to prevent the employment of illegal immigrants by requiring employers to verify proof of citizenship and legal work authorization.
Contrary to some of the offered options, ICE does not control how immigrants enter and leave the country—that is the role of U.S. Customs and Border Protection—nor does it conduct the process for noncitizens to become naturalized citizens; that falls under the purview of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Neither does ICE issue visas; this is managed by the Department of State.