Office of International Affairs (OIA)

Mission

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is the overseas investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). OIA works closely with all elements of ICE, and serves as a key component in the President’s international crime control strategy.

Roles and Responsibilities

ICE's Office of International Affairs provides operational and programmatic management of ICE attachés at foreign embassies and consulates worldwide;

OIA also coordinates and supports all foreign investigative activities of ICE. OIA works with foreign counterparts in combating transnational crimes involving national security, financial, smuggling, illegal arms exports, forced child labor, child pornography, human trafficking, intellectual property rights, commercial and immigration fraud violations.

OIA assists host-country counterparts in the development and implementation of legislation and regulations; provides training to foreign officials; responds to government and public requests for trade, travel and business information; supports the implementation of treaties, agreements and international cooperative programs.

Acquiring and developing intelligence related to cross-border criminal activity is also important to OIA's mission.