(NewsNation) — A Department of Homeland Security branch is rebranding to distance itself from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Homeland Security Investigations changed its website Tuesday from being associated with parent agency ICE, adjusting its URL to just HSI.gov, according to ABC News.
HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina Berger told ABC News that law enforcement partners often get confused as to what exactly the agency’s role is and what its federal agents focus on in terms of crime.
“Having a being branded as ICE, having an ICE email address, we’re oftentimes not able to partner with law enforcement in certain jurisdictions that aren’t working with ICE, oftentimes college campuses, schools,” Berger told ABC.
The change allows HSI to be able to promote its mission with law enforcement departments that don’t associate themselves with ICE due to “sanctuary” policies, which allows some cities and states to not cooperate with the immigration agency.
What is HSI’s mission?
HSI focuses on transnational crime and threats, including protecting national security, preventing crimes of exploitation, upholding fairness in global trade, investigating cybercrime and combating financial crimes. While it has pushed to distance itself from ICE, HSI does still have a focus on securing the border as well by investigating transnational criminal organizations.
However, despite the rebrand and distance attempt, HSI will still be a branch under ICE, Berger said.
“We’re just able to independently brand ourselves, to better show people exactly what we do to keep the American public safe,” she said.
The rebrand was approved by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to boost agent morale, Berger said.
