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Reference.org
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
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<p>The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority is a law enforcement agency within the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Home_Affairs_(Singapore)/qK8PAeIA">Ministry of Home Affairs</a> (MHA), the <a href="/facts/Border_control/ngScQKAz">border control</a> agency responsible for frontline <a href="/facts/Border_control/ngScQKAz">border control</a> operations at air, sea and rail ports in <a href="/facts/Singapore/CQDkhUvD">Singapore</a>. </p><p>ICA was formed on 1 April 2003 after the restructuring of the preceding agencies responsible for customs and immigration control, the Singapore Immigration and Registration (SIR) and the Customs and Excise Department (CED). It is accountable directly to the MHA, which is under the purview of the <a href="/facts/Government_of_Singapore/fAV4JzdP">Government of Singapore</a> and its relevant ministers. </p><p>Its responsibilities include immigration and customs controls and the screening of passengers, freight and port staff at the country's rail, air and sea ports, as well as dozens of smaller airstrips, ports and marinas. In addition, their duties also include counter-terrorism, part of which is to detect and deter the illicit importation of radioactive and nuclear material by terrorists or criminals. </p>