Basics about ICE
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in 2002 in response to the September 11 attacks and as part of the reform of the country's security system.The director of ICE is appointed by the President of the United States, and currently, this position is held by Todd M. Lyons, who took office in March 2025.
The primary task of ICE is to enforce immigration laws and combat crimes related to migration. The agency actively searches for illegal migrants, organizes deportations, and investigates crimes related to smuggling and document forgery.
In recent years, ICE's influence has significantly increased, especially against the backdrop of the Trump administration's strict immigration policies. The agency employs about 20,000 staff members and has over 400 offices both in the U.S. and abroad. ICE's budget is $8 billion, making it one of the most financially well-off federal agencies in history.
Outbreak of Protests
The situation escalated on January 7, 2026, when an ICE agent shot 37-year-old American Renee Nicole Good, who authorities claimed attempted to run over agency personnel.Later, on January 24, the same city saw the shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretty. Although authorities claimed he was armed, video footage showed he was only holding a phone.
Preceding Scandals
Criticism of ICE began to grow in 2025. The media raised questions about raids in educational institutions and places of worship, as well as family separations and the conditions of detained individuals.In May 2025, Todd Lyons signed a secret memorandum allowing ICE agents to enter residential properties without a court order, which caused outrage among lawyers and human rights advocates.
According to human rights organizations, 32 people died in detention centers in 2025, marking the worst figure since 2004. In September of the same year, over a hundred detainees in a California center went on hunger strike due to unacceptable living conditions.
At the end of December 2025, Trump sent ICE agents to Minneapolis, leading to numerous incidents of violent arrests.
Formats of Protests
Protests have taken various forms.Activists organized over 200 protests in 43 states, according to CNN.
In Minneapolis, residents gathered on the beach and formed the word SOS, demonstrating solidarity with local events. Rallies also took place in California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Texas, and other states.
While most protests occurred without violence, some escalated into clashes with police.
Some protesters chose a strike format, closing their establishments and skipping work shifts. The slogan of the protesters is: "No work, no school, no shopping."
Scott Galloway, a marketing professor, suggested a new way to protest through mass cancellations of subscriptions to services like ChatGPT Plus, Amazon Prime, and Netflix, arguing that an economic boycott would be more effective.
During the Grammy Awards ceremony, Bad Bunny, the first artist to win the top award for an album in Spanish, condemned Trump's immigration policy, calling for "abolishing ICE." Billie Eilish also spoke about the importance of fighting for people's rights, emphasizing that voices matter.
The Situation Escalates
Amid the protests, President Trump's approval rating dropped to 38%, according to a Reuters and Ipsos poll, marking the lowest point of his presidency.Some Americans began discussing the possibility of a civil war, backing their opinions with posts on social media.
Elon Musk commented on the situation, saying, "It seems that way."
Authorities' Reaction
Trump ordered Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to ensure that ICE agents do not interfere with protests in cities run by Democrats. However, he stated that federal agents would be ready to "respond methodically" if local authorities requested it.He also stated that federal actions would be strict in protecting government buildings, emphasizing that they would not allow damage.
Trump characterized the protesters as "well-paid rioters" and "anarchists," stating that his border control policies are supported by the majority of Americans.
Secretary Noem announced plans to equip all immigration agents in Minnesota with body cameras for greater transparency.
Meanwhile, prominent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested and charged with crimes related to their reporting on protests against ICE, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Investigation of Incidents
Following the unrest over the killing of Alex Pretty, Trump promised a "fair investigation" into what happened. The U.S. Congress has already received a preliminary report on the internal investigation.Federal agents involved in the incident with Pretty have been temporarily suspended from duty, and a review is underway for possible human rights violations and excessive use of force.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined that Pretty's death was caused by the actions of another person; however, this does not always indicate criminality. Pretty died from gunshot wounds inflicted by one of the law enforcement officers, according to the medical examiner's report.
