5 Critical Steps: How To Report To ICE Immigration Effectively And Anonymously In 2025

The process of submitting a tip or complaint to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a critical component of national security and law enforcement, but the pathways for reporting are often misunderstood. As of December 11, 2025, the agency, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), maintains a dedicated, 24/7 system for the public to report suspicious criminal activity and potential immigration violations.

Understanding the correct channels, knowing what information to provide, and distinguishing between the agency’s two main directorates—Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)—is essential for ensuring your tip is credible, actionable, and directed to the appropriate authorities. This guide provides the most current, step-by-step instructions for effective reporting.

The Official Channels: ICE Tip Line and Online Form

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provides two primary, official methods for the public to submit tips regarding potential violations of immigration and customs law, as well as a wide array of federal criminal statutes. Both channels are managed by the agency's investigative arm, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is tasked with investigating transnational crime and threats to national security.

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Method 1: The 24/7 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line

The fastest and most direct method for reporting is by phone. This dedicated hotline is operational around the clock, seven days a week, and is the preferred method for urgent or time-sensitive information.

• Tip Line Number: 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423)
• International Callers: 001-802-872-6199
• Purpose: This line is designed to collect information that could aid HSI Special Agents with complex criminal investigations, though tips about simple immigration violations are also accepted and triaged.
• Anonymity: Callers have the option to remain anonymous. However, providing contact information can be crucial if HSI investigators need to follow up for clarification or additional details to make the tip actionable.

Method 2: The ICE Online Tip Form

For non-urgent tips or when you have extensive documentation or textual details to provide, the official ICE Online Tip Form is the recommended route. This digital form allows for a structured submission of information, which helps investigators categorize and process the data efficiently.

• Access: The form is available on the official ICE government website.
• Required Detail: The form explicitly asks for specific information, and failure to provide sufficient detail may prevent the agency from taking action on the tip.
• Anonymity: You can choose to submit the tip anonymously through the online form, but similar to the hotline, providing contact information is optional and can expedite the investigation process.

The Crucial Distinction: HSI vs. ERO and What ICE Actually Investigates

Many members of the public believe that reporting to ICE is solely about identifying individuals with undocumented status. While that is part of the agency's function, the tips that receive the most immediate and intense investigative focus are typically those involving serious federal criminal violations. ICE operates through two distinct directorates, which handle different aspects of enforcement:

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Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). HSI Special Agents focus on a vast portfolio of cross-border criminal activity, investigating over 400 violations of federal law. Tips submitted through the Tip Line or Online Form are initially reviewed by HSI.

Key HSI Focus Areas (High-Priority Tips):

• Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs): Investigations into cartels, gangs, and other organized crime groups.
• Human Trafficking and Smuggling: The illegal movement and exploitation of people, including forced labor and sex trafficking.
• Child Exploitation: Crimes involving child pornography, child sex tourism, and online child abuse.
• Financial Crimes: Money laundering, bulk cash smuggling, and other financial schemes that fund criminal enterprises.
• Counter-Proliferation: Illegal export of sensitive U.S. technology and weapons.
• Intellectual Property and Trade Violations: Counterfeiting, commercial fraud, and illegal trade practices.
• War Crimes and Human Rights Violations: Investigating individuals who have committed atrocities abroad and are now residing in the U.S.
• Worksite Enforcement: Criminal violations by employers, such as knowingly hiring undocumented workers, exploiting workers, or using identity theft schemes.

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

ERO is the directorate responsible for the identification, apprehension, detention, and removal of non-citizens who are subject to removal from the United States. ERO's operations primarily target non-citizens who pose a threat to public safety, such as convicted criminals, or those who have violated immigration laws.

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ERO's Primary Focus:

• Locating and arresting non-citizens with final orders of removal.
• Managing the detention system for non-citizens.
• Deporting individuals who have violated immigration law, often prioritizing those with criminal records.

How a Tip is Triaged: A tip about a simple immigration status violation (e.g., an overstayed visa or living in the U.S. without authorization) is typically routed to ERO. A tip involving a criminal element (e.g., a person with undocumented status who is also involved in drug trafficking or fraud) is a higher priority and is handled by HSI Special Agents. The more severe the alleged criminal activity, the higher the priority of the tip.

Essential Information for a Credible ICE Tip

A vague or unverified tip is unlikely to result in immediate action. To ensure your report is taken seriously by HSI or ERO, you must provide as much specific, verifiable detail as possible. Remember that ICE agents are trained investigators who rely on concrete evidence to initiate an operation or an arrest.

Key Details to Include in Your Report:

• The Subject's Identity: Full name (including any known aliases), date of birth, and country of origin.
• Physical Description: Height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any unique identifiers like tattoos or scars.
• Current Location: A precise address for the person's residence or workplace. If it’s a business, include the full name and address of the company.
• Schedule and Routine: Specific times the person is usually at home, work, or traveling. For example: "Leaves for work at 7:00 AM every weekday."
• Vehicle Information: Make, model, color, year, and license plate number.
• The Violation: A clear, concise description of the alleged violation, including dates, times, and locations of the criminal activity or immigration infraction.
• Supporting Evidence: If you have any documents, photographs, or digital evidence, mention its existence.

The quality of the information directly correlates with the likelihood of an investigation. A tip that identifies a transnational criminal operation with specific addresses and names will always be prioritized over a general, unverified complaint about an individual’s status.

What Happens After You Submit a Tip to ICE?

Once your tip is submitted via the HSI Tip Line or Online Tip Form, it enters a structured review process within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The process is designed to filter out non-actionable information and prioritize threats to public safety and national security.

First, the tip is reviewed by analysts who assess its credibility, urgency, and the type of violation reported. Tips concerning high-priority criminal activity—like human trafficking or child exploitation—are immediately flagged and assigned to an HSI Special Agent for further investigation.

Second, tips regarding simple administrative immigration violations are typically routed to the local ERO field office. ERO officers then assess the tip against current enforcement priorities, which often focus on non-citizens with prior criminal convictions or those who pose a flight risk. Due to resource constraints, not all tips regarding administrative violations will result in immediate action or an arrest.

Finally, as a tipster, you should not expect a follow-up or status update, especially if you chose to remain anonymous. Federal law enforcement agencies do not typically disclose the status of an ongoing investigation to the public. If you provided contact information, an agent may reach out only if they require additional details to move the investigation forward. The agency’s focus remains on the integrity of the investigation and the apprehension of those in violation of federal law.