Why is ICE in Calgary? Here’s what to know about the U.S. immigration agency’s local field office

Why Is ICE Operating in Calgary? What to Know About the U.S. Agency’s Local Office

Amid rising tensions and deadly incidents tied to immigration enforcement in the United States, some Calgarians are expressing concern after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates a field office in downtown Calgary.

ICE maintains offices in five Canadian cities, including Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. The revelation has prompted questions from residents about the agency’s role in Canada and whether its presence poses any risk to Canadians.

The Calgary office belongs to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit, the agency’s criminal investigative arm. It operates out of the U.S. Consulate General at Rocky Mountain Plaza along Macleod Trail in downtown Calgary. The consulate is heavily secured and accessible by appointment only.

The U.S. Consulate in Calgary is responsible for consular services across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.

According to ICE’s website, HSI operates more than 90 international offices in over 50 countries, employing more than 500 special agents, analysts, and support staff. In Canada, HSI personnel are stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and at consulates in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. ICE has not disclosed how many agents are currently working in Canada.

What does ICE do in Canada?

In an emailed statement, an ICE spokesperson said HSI agents work closely with Canadian law enforcement agencies to investigate serious transnational crimes and security threats.

“These skilled and highly trained special agents focus on a wide variety of serious crimes, including drug trafficking, child exploitation, weapons smuggling, human smuggling, financial fraud, and more,” the spokesperson said.

The agency added that HSI agents also assist in identifying and disrupting potential terrorist threats before attacks can be carried out against the United States or its allies.

ICE emphasized that its agents do not conduct enforcement operations in Canada. They do not make arrests, execute search warrants, or carry firearms on Canadian soil.

“We collaborate closely with our Canadian partners on joint criminal investigations involving narcotics, weapons smuggling, human trafficking, and human smuggling,” the spokesperson said. “HSI also investigates child exploitation and continues to identify and help rescue minor victims in both the U.S. and Canada.”

The agency said this cooperation benefits communities in both countries.

Why are Calgarians concerned?

Concerns surfaced among commuters near Calgary’s City Hall CTrain station, located just steps from the U.S. consulate.

“It’s concerning,” said Red Deer resident Michael Serrano. “Because of what’s happening in the U.S.”

Serrano pointed to highly publicized ICE raids and fatal encounters involving immigration enforcement officers south of the border.

According to the Associated Press, at least six people have died during recent immigration enforcement operations under U.S. President Donald Trump, including two fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving Border Patrol and ICE officers.

Calgary resident Lia Rojas said learning about ICE’s presence in the city was unsettling.

“It’s upsetting to see what’s happening in the States, and the fact that ICE is operating in Calgary is strange,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you stand politically. Objectively, it feels wrong.”

Calls for ICE offices to close

Last week, Edmonton Strathcona MP Heather McPherson issued an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for the closure of ICE offices in Canada.

“Over many months, Canadians have watched in horror as the Trump administration has stripped Americans and non-citizens of some of their constitutional rights,” McPherson wrote.