Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has quietly authorized enhanced security measures to protect against threats like active shooters, according to an internal ICE memo obtained exclusively by The Young Turks.

The Oct. 11 memo announces Operation Frozen Shield, a “targeted operation” designed to beef up ICE’s security with an “enhanced set of protection activities,” including increased Federal Protective Services (FPS) activities at ICE facilities. The memo also makes reference to an earlier memo from the then-head of ICE’s parent agency, DHS, alleging a “trend of violence against our ICE officers and agents.” This follows a request by ICE for a contractor to perform up to $3.4 million in “threat mitigation” services.

The memo states: “On September 12, 2019, Acting Secretary [Kevin] McAleenan distributed the ‘ICE Support Memo’ in response to recent assaults and threats against ICE facilities and personnel. Accordingly, effective as of October 11, 2019, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) is implementing Operation Frozen Shield, which is a detailed plan to further enhance the protection of 396 ICE facilities under FPS’s purview. This new targeted operation will include an enhanced set of protection activities focused on increasing FPS activity at ICE facilities and coordination of FPS identified vulnerabilities with the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and ICE leadership to prioritize and implement previously identified countermeasures recommendations.”

“FPS field representatives will coordinate with Federal Executive Boards, Designated Officials, General Services Administration Property Managers, and Facility Security Committees to review, update as necessary, and rehearse Occupant Emergency Plans and Active Shooter Plans. More specific information will be provided at the field/office level to implement the full scope of Operation Frozen Shield.”

The memo does not go into further detail. Asked to explain what security measures Operation Frozen Shield will entail, an ICE spokesperson told TYT: “ICE will not discuss anything to do with force protection.”

“More specific information will be provided at the field/office level to implement the full scope of Operation Frozen Shield,” the memo states.