What is ICE
Established in 2002 in response to the events of September 11, ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and combating crimes related to the movement of people across borders.As of now, the position of ICE Director is held by Todd M. Lyons, who was appointed to this role in March 2025. Under his leadership, the agency continues to carry out its key functions, including the deportation of illegal migrants and the investigation of smuggling and document forgery cases.
Since Donald Trump took office as president, ICE's influence has increased. The agency has about 20,000 employees and more than 400 offices both in the country and abroad. Its budget is $8 billion, making it one of the most financially well-off federal agencies in U.S. history.
Reasons for Protests
On January 7, 2026, a tragic incident occurred: an ICE agent shot 37-year-old Rene Nicole Good, who, according to official reports, threatened officers by driving her car toward them.The situation repeated on January 24, when nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretty was killed in Minneapolis. Although authorities claimed he was armed, video footage indicated that he was holding only a phone.
Preceding Events
Since the beginning of 2025, ICE has faced severe criticism for its actions, including raids in educational institutions and other public events. The agency is also accused of separating families and maintaining inadequate conditions for detainees.In May 2025, Todd Lyons issued a memorandum allowing ICE employees to conduct searches in homes without a warrant, raising concerns about violations of citizens' rights.
Human rights advocates report poor conditions in detention centers, where 32 deaths occurred in 2025, marking the worst record since 2004. In September of the same year, over a hundred detainees went on hunger strike, protesting against unsanitary conditions and lack of medical assistance.
At the end of 2025, Trump ordered ICE agents to be sent to Minnesota, leading to a series of incidents involving violence and mistreatment of detainees.
Course of Protests
Protests against ICE have taken various forms, with activists gathering in the streets. According to CNN, over 200 events were held in 43 states.In Minneapolis, protesters formed the word SOS on the beach, while in other cities like California, Oregon, and New York, student organizations held rallies in solidarity.
Although most actions were peaceful, some led to clashes with police. Additionally, many citizens and business owners decided to strike, closing their establishments and skipping workdays, using the slogan "No work, no school, no shopping."
Professor Scott Galloway proposed a new method of protest: mass cancellations of subscriptions to services from major companies to exert economic pressure.
At the Grammy Awards, Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny sharply criticized Trump's immigration policy, stating: "We are not savages, not animals, and not aliens. We are people. And we are Americans." Billie Eilish also called for active action and not to remain silent.
Current Situation
Donald Trump ordered Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to ensure that ICE and Border Patrol agents do not interfere with protests in cities with Democratic governance. However, he also noted that federal agents would be ready to "methodically" intervene if local authorities requested it.Trump characterized the protesters as "well-paid lunatics" and "anarchists," emphasizing that his administration is based on strict border control and law enforcement principles.
The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the death of Alex Pretty. Participants in the operation during which the incident occurred have been temporarily suspended from duty, and it is being determined whether there was a violation of citizens' rights.
Amid public outrage, Trump promised to conduct a "fair and dignified investigation." Congress has already received a preliminary report on the situation.
Additionally, journalist Don Lemon and independent reporter Georgia Fort were recently arrested for their coverage of the protests against ICE, raising further questions about freedom of speech in the country, as reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
