WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Department of Homeland Security will investigate a Halloween costume party hosted by a top immigration official and attended by a man dressed in a striped prison outfit , dreadlocks and darkened skin make-up , a costume some say is offensive , the department 's secretary said . Julie Myers , head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement , called the man 's costume `` offensive . '' Julie Myers , head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and host of the fundraising party , was on a three-judge panel that originally praised the prisoner costume for `` originality . '' Myers later apologized for `` a few of the costumes , '' calling them `` inappropriate and offensive . '' She said she and other senior managers `` deeply regret that this happened . '' A department photographer photographed Myers with the man , but the images were deleted after the costume were deemed offensive , ICE spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said . Between 50 and 75 people attended the party , which was a fundraiser for the Combined Federal Campaign , a federal government collection of charities . Nantel said one employee , whom she declined to identify , was wearing a black-and-white striped prison outfit , dreadlocks and a skin `` bronzer '' intended `` to make him look African-American . '' But , she said , it was not immediately apparent that he was wearing the make-up . `` Most people in the room did n't realize he was wearing make-up at all , '' she said . `` It was unintentioned . The employee did not mean to offend although there were some employees that were rightfully offended by it , '' Nantel said . Myers and the other judges `` noted his costume for originality . '' `` There were a couple of people who were offended , '' Nantel said . `` When it was confirmed through a conversation with the employee that he was wearing make-up , '' Nantel said , the employee was counseled and Myers sent out a note to employees apologizing . In a November 2 email to ICE employees , Myers wrote , `` It is now clear that , however unintended , a few of the costumes were inappropriate and offensive . While we were all thrilled to be a part of the CFC fundraising effort , I and the senior management at ICE deeply regret that this happened . '' She reminded all employees to be compliant with the department 's diversity training requirement . Myers has served as head of ICE since January of 2006 but is still awaiting Senate confirmation . An ICE congressional liaison said ICE officials briefed congressional staffers about the costume party this week as a courtesy . But at least one congressional staffer said they approached ICE after receiving an anonymous fax about the incident . Myers called House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson , D-Mississippi , about the incident and is expected to meet with him before the end of the week , a Thompson spokeswoman told CNN . Myers also contacted the National Association of African-Americans in the Department of Homeland Security . In a letter to NAADHS members , the group 's vice president , Sjon Shavers , said the group `` appreciates -LRB- Myers -RRB- reaching out to us so quickly in order to keep us apprised of the matter and we commend her on moving so swiftly toward appropriate corrective action . '' As head of ICE , Myers heads the law enforcement agency charged with enforcing immigration law inside the United States . It is the second largest investigative agency in the federal government , with more than 15,000 employees , including 6,000 investigators . Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff `` supports the actions that Assistant Secretary Myers has taken , '' DHS spokeswoman Laura Keehner said . `` We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior at DHS . '' `` The Secretary has asked for an inquiry into the facts surrounding the incident . Once the facts have been determined , we will take all necessary and appropriate actions , '' Keehner said . E-mail to a friend