HSI stands for Homeland Security Investigations, which is the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. It is the second largest investigative service in the United States, behind the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and consists of more than 10,300 employees who are assigned to over 210 cities throughout the U.S. and 80 international offices in 53 countries across the world. Approximately 7,100+ Special Agents (Criminal Investigators) are included among the over 10,300 HSI employees. HSI special agents investigate the largest range of crimes and have the statutory authority to enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act, U.S. customs laws, general federal crimes, the Controlled Substances Act, as well as Titles 5, 6, 12, 22, 26, 28, 31, 46, 49, and 50 of the U.S. Code.
HSI special agents protect the country, cities, and communities from transnational criminal organizations and focus their authorities on issues such as human smuggling, drug trafficking organizations, violent street gangs, intellectual property rights, commercial fraud, child pornography, bulk cash smuggling, and counter-proliferation. They work with other law enforcement agencies, such as police and county sheriffs departments, and participate in surveillance, search warrants, arrests, interrogations, and interviews. HSI special agents enjoy a wide latitude in running their own criminal cases and can expect a more "cop-like" office culture.
