About ICE
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in 2002 as part of security reforms in response to the September 11 attacks.The director of ICE is appointed by the President of the United States; currently, this position is held by Todd M. Lyons, who took office in March 2025.
The main task of ICE is to monitor compliance with immigration laws and combat crimes related to border crossings. This agency is responsible for identifying illegal migrants, organizing their deportation, as well as investigating cases of smuggling, document forgery, and international financial offenses.
Under the influence of President Trump's strict immigration policy, ICE significantly expanded its powers. It employs about 20,000 staff members and has more than 400 divisions both in the U.S. and abroad. The agency's budget is $8 billion, making it one of the most financially well-off federal agencies in the country.
Reasons for Protests
On January 7, 2026, an ICE officer shot 37-year-old Rene Nicole Good, who, according to official reports, was attempting to run over agents.On January 24, in the same area, 37-year-old nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretty was killed. Officials stated that he was armed; however, video footage showed that he was only holding a phone.
Preceding Events
Since the beginning of 2025, ICE has faced significant criticism. Media reports have covered raids in schools, cultural events, and even courthouses. The public also condemns the practice of family separation, poor detention conditions, and mass hiring of staff without necessary training.In May 2025, Todd Lyons signed a secret memorandum allowing ICE agents to enter homes without a court warrant, based solely on an administrative order. This sparked outrage among lawyers, who saw it as a violation of the Constitution.
Human rights advocates reported poor conditions in detention centers, where 32 people died in 2025, marking the worst record since 2004. In September 2025, over a hundred detainees in California went on hunger strike due to unsanitary conditions and lack of medical assistance. The Department of Homeland Security denied these claims.
At the end of 2025, Trump ordered ICE agents and border patrols to be sent to Minneapolis-St. Paul, leading to a series of incidents involving the use of force.
Formats of Protests
Protests have taken various forms.Activists have held at least 200 protests in 43 states, according to CNN.
In Minneapolis, residents gathered on the beach to form the phrase SOS. Student organizations and activists also held rallies in California, Washington, New York, and other states in solidarity.
Most events were peaceful, but some protests ended in clashes with police.
Some protesters opted for a strike: café owners closed their establishments, and citizens did not go to work or school under the slogan "No work, no school, no shopping."
Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at New York University, proposed a new format for protest—an economic boycott, urging people to cancel subscriptions to services like Amazon and Netflix for the entire month of February. He believes that "power fears not street protests, but economic downturns."
At the Grammy Awards, for the first time in history, a Spanish-language album won the award for Best Album. Artist Bad Bunny, while giving a speech, condemned Trump's immigration policy:
“Before thanking God, I will say: ICE—get out. We are not savages or aliens. We are people. And we are Americans.”
Billy Eilish, who won the Song of the Year award, also called for action:
“It’s hard to know what to do right now, but we must keep fighting. Our voices matter. People matter.”
Current Situation
President Trump ordered Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to ensure that ICE agents do not interfere with protests in cities governed by the Democratic Party. However, he added that federal agents will be ready to "easily and methodically" intervene if local authorities request assistance.Nevertheless, Trump warned that federal agents would act "firmly" to protect federal property. "We will not allow our buildings to be damaged," he emphasized.
Protesters were characterized by Trump as "well-paid lunatics and rebels." "I was elected based on a policy of strict border control, and that is what America wants!" he noted in his message.
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Alex Pretty's death in Minneapolis. All participants in the operation during which the shooting occurred have been temporarily suspended from duty, and the use of force is being reviewed.
Following public outrage over the incident, Trump promised to conduct a "fair investigation." Congress received a report on the preliminary internal investigation.
At the same time, independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested and charged with crimes related to their reporting on protests against ICE in Minnesota, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
